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Utility Claims Commissioner's Bias Blocks Power Plant
4 Dec
Summary
- OG&E requested a commissioner recuse himself from a $506M power plant expansion case.
- The utility cited the commissioner's public comments calling the company "evil".
- Commissioner Hiett accused utilities of spreading "propaganda" to capture regulators.
Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company has formally requested that Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett recuse himself from a significant case. The utility is seeking approval to expand its power generation sites, including building natural gas turbines at the Horseshoe Lake Power Plant, a project estimated to cost over $506 million.
OG&E's general counsel argued that Commissioner Hiett's public comments exhibit "actual bias and the appearance of bias," violating ethical standards. These comments allegedly included calling OG&E "evil" and accusing the company of spreading "propaganda" to influence regulatory decisions and strengthen its monopoly.
Hiett, in turn, accused major utilities like OG&E of attempting to "capture" the regulatory body through orders that promote propaganda. He also claimed that utilities have spent millions on mailers to consumers. OG&E's vice president denied sending such mailers and emphasized the project's necessity for ensuring sufficient power generation.
