Residential electricity prices in Tulsa, Oklahoma, have risen as a summer heat wave increases demand for cooling. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), the region's primary utility provider, reported that approximately 19,000 customers in the area have their electricity disconnected each month due to unpaid bills. The trend follows a national pattern reported by the U.S. Labor Department, which indicates electricity costs are currently rising faster than the general cost of living.
According to the U.S. Energy Department, PSO disconnects customers at more than five times the national average rate. While some states prohibit utility shutoffs during extreme heat, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which regulates the state's utilities, allows disconnections as long as the heat index remains below 101 degrees. Efforts by consumer advocates to lower this heat threshold have not been successful.
Public Service Company of Oklahoma recently sought a 15% increase in residential electric rates. Following negotiations with the state attorney general, the utility agreed to a 1% increase in a settlement that is currently awaiting approval from state regulators. PSO CEO Leigh Anne Strahler stated in a message to customers that the costs are necessary to invest in additional power generation and to strengthen the grid against extreme weather events.
For an individual household, the concrete day-to-day change is reflected in significantly higher monthly bills and the potential for large lump-sum payments to maintain service. One Tulsa resident reported a monthly bill of $1,373, which included a $598 deposit required after previous late payments. Another resident reported that his monthly bill doubled to $500. Those who experience a shutoff may face additional reconnection fees ranging from $700 to $800 to restore service. These costs compete directly with other essential household expenses such as rent and food.
The knock-on effects include increased pressure on local non-profit organizations and religious groups. The Helping Hand Ministry in Tulsa reported spending up to $14,000 per week to help residents avoid disconnections, yet they are only able to assist a few dozen customers weekly. As summer heat waves become more frequent, the demand for both electricity and financial assistance is expected to grow. What happens next depends on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission, which must decide whether to approve the 1% rate settlement reached between the utility and the state attorney general.