First case testing new law filed by Public Service Company of Oklahoma

A law that allows utilities to recover costs from customers on facility construction projects before they’re operational will result in rate shock for consumers and has already drawn opposition, leaders say.

Senate Bill 998, authored by Sen. Grant Green, R-Wellston, became law on Aug. 28. The measure adds cost recovery provisions for public utilities. More specifically, it allows a utility to start recovering work-in-progress expenses prior to the commercial operation of a new or newly expanded natural gas facility.