Tulsa, OK – Public Service Company of Oklahoma has gone public with a new rate hike request filed with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission that could increase customer electric bills by about 15% if approved.

The request follows a recent filing by the Tulsa based utility seeking approval for $1.2 billion in Construction Work in Progress rate increases tied to ongoing and planned energy expansion projects.

In a public release, PSO said it requested a rate review to continue delivering safe, reliable, and resilient electric service for its approximately 580,000 customers across portions of western and southwestern Oklahoma and other areas of the state.

According to PSO, the rate request reflects investments already made to strengthen the electric grid and meet Oklahoma’s growing energy demands. Those investments include grid upgrades, advanced technologies, and smart tools designed to reduce outages, speed restoration times, and improve billing accuracy and real time customer alerts.

The utility pointed to improvements already in place. PSO said its vegetation management program has reduced tree related outages by 91 percent. The company also cited its Grid Enhancement and Resiliency, or GEAR, program, which it says has saved more than 144 million customer minutes of service interruption since 2020 through automation and smart recloser technology.

Additional investments include pole replacements, undergrounding of electric lines, and advanced metering systems aimed at improving safety and communication with customers during outages. On the generation side, PSO highlighted the acquisition of the Green Country Power Plant, adding 795 megawatts of natural gas capacity, along with upgrades to other generation facilities to support long term reliability and growth.

As part of the rate review, PSO is also proposing new special terms for large new customers. The utility said those terms are intended to ensure new large loads pay the full cost to connect to the grid, preventing cost shifting to existing customers while maintaining system reliability as Oklahoma attracts new economic development.

PSO noted the filing begins a formal review process with regulators and other stakeholders and said it will work transparently throughout the process as the request is examined.

If approved as filed, PSO estimates the average residential customer using 1,100 kilowatt hours per month would see an increase of about $25 per month, or roughly 15 percent, beginning in July 2026.

The company said it will continue offering programs such as its average monthly payment plan, PowerPay, energy efficiency resources, and bill assistance options to help customers manage higher costs.

PSO stated affordability remains a concern for families and businesses and said it is committed to balancing grid improvements with long term value and community support.

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