Oklahomans should expect higher electricity bills, state energy secretary explains

Steve Metzer

Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY — Rising demand for electricity by residential and industrial consumers has sparked a nearly unprecedented era of investment in utility infrastructure that will raise bills across the nation by 15%-40% in the next five years, according to some projections .

In Oklahoma, Secretary of Energy and Environment Jeff Starling said projections vary as to how much typical residential bills in the Sooner State will be impacted, but he said people should expect to pay more for electricity in coming years.

Plans for construction or expansion of power-hungry data centers and for new industries like an aluminum production plant at the Tulsa Port of Inola have stirred concerns about impacts on residential bills, but Starling sai