Tulsa Residents Protest High Electric Bills and Power Shutoffs

Residents of Tulsa, Oklahoma, are protesting soaring electric bills caused by rising utility rates and extreme summer heat. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) initially sought a 15% residential rate increase this year but later reached a settlement with the state attorney general to lower that increase to 1%, pending regulatory approval.

Despite the lower rate increase, frequent triple-digit temperature days have caused bills to spike. A report from the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that PSO disconnects customers for non-payment at more than five times the national average. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission permits these shutoffs as long as the heat index remains below 101 degrees.

In response to the crisis, local residents have launched petitions for regulatory crackdowns. Non-profits, including Helping Hand Ministry, are spending up to $14,000 weekly to prevent customer disconnections. PSO CEO Leigh Anne Strahler defended the costs, stating the company is investing in power generation and grid resilience to meet growing demand and withstand extreme weather.