Oklahoma Senate
Opposition Grows Towards AEP’s Plan to Raise Rates
Sen. Judy Eason McIntyre
Sen. Jim Wilson
Senator Judy Eason McIntyre and Senator Jim Wilson joined the call on the Corporation Commission to reject another rate hike request from Ohio-based AEP-PSO
“It’s our sincere hope that the Corporation Commissioners are aware of the many families and seniors that are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table. This rate hike is reckless and will hinder Oklahoma’s ability to rebound from our current recession. If approved, this rate hike will take money out of the pockets of hardworking Oklahomans,” said Wilson, D-Tahlequah. “These hard working Oklahomans are asking me, how many more rate increases can they expect.”
“An increase at this time is unwarranted. AEP-PSO increased utilities in early 2009 by $82 million, which does not include the temporary $30 million annual capital reliability rider, and now AEP wants this temporary fee to be made permanent,” said Eason McIntyre, D-Tulsa. “Making the $30 million capital rider fee permanent only puts more pressure on our seniors who are facing enough hard choices stretching their budgets on a fixed income. This rate hike is ill timed and will hurt Oklahoma families.”
“Rep. Proctor and I share the belief that people should come before politics. I encourage all Oklahomans to voice their feelings and call their Corporation Commissioners,” said Eason McIntyre. Citizens can reach the Corporation Commissioners at 1-800-522-8154.
The Ohio-based AEP-PSO has over a 500,000 customers in eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas. The parent company's net income last year totaled over $1.3 billion on nearly $13.5 billion in total revenue.
