Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) customers will see a slight increase in their monthly electric bills beginning June 1, as a result of rising fuel costs used to generate electricity.
According to the utility provider, the average residential customer can expect an increase of approximately $5.87 per month. The adjustment reflects recent increases in fuel prices and incorporates planned fuel expenses for the summer months.
The fuel charge, which is included in the electric portion of each customer’s monthly bill, is reviewed and approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). OG&E noted that it does not profit from fuel charges, which are strictly based on the actual cost of fuel needed to generate electricity.
“We know you count on us to provide reliable electricity and to keep your bill as low as possible,” OG&E said in a statement. “We source and purchase fuel at the lowest cost possible and store lower-cost fuel to help minimize the impact of price increases.”
The OCC ensures that any adjustments to customer billing are thoroughly reviewed and justified. OG&E emphasized its commitment to keeping costs manageable for customers and encouraged anyone needing financial assistance to visit OGE.com/fuel for information on resources and support.
For those seeking more details on how fuel costs affect their energy bills or to explore assistance options, OG&E provides tools and programs to help manage monthly expenses.
Last year, OG&E was awarded the naming rights to the new multimillion-dollar arena set to replace Jim Norick Arena, which will now be known as the OG&E Coliseum. The cost of the naming rights has not been disclosed.
According to a news release from the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, OG&E recently sold its stake in a jointly owned company and donated the proceeds to its nonprofit arm, the OGE Energy Corp. Foundation.
The Foundation then used those funds to donate to the fairgrounds, helping to complete construction of the new arena and secure the naming rights.
However, representatives with AARP Oklahoma say the move has left many of their members frustrated.
“I don’t know if it’s just a lack of awareness or tone deafness,” Sean Voskuhl with AARP Oklahoma told an Oklahoma City television station. “It’s a head-scratcher for a lot of people. We’re struggling right now, and they’re spending millions on naming rights.”
Voskuhl questioned why those funds weren’t used to benefit OG&E’s customers.
“They’ve been very, very profitable,” he said. “Those revenues could have been reinvested in their customers.”
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