Oklahoma’s largest utility recently asked the state’s corporation commission to approve a plan that would have raised monthly utility rates for the state’s citizens by 20 percent. However, the commission rejected the plan, reports member station KGOU.The proposal was an effort by Oklahoma Gas & Electric to pay for upgrades. The improvements would have put coal-fired power plants in compliance with the federal Clean Air Act.
The request was rejected on a 2-1 vote. The majority commissioners felt there wasn’t convincing evidence the upgrade was necessary. The plan also included $700 million to install pollution scrubbers at two current coal-fired power plants, and convert two others to natural gas.
OG&E has to comply with federal rules by April 2016, and regional haze regulations by January 2019.
