Oklahoma Corporation Commission Directs Utilities to Prioritize Life, Health & Public Safety During Winter Weather Event

In the midst of a historic winter weather event marked by the first-time issuance of energy emergency alerts by the Southwest Power Pool, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission issued an order on February 16, 2021 directing utilities to prioritize the delivery of natural gas and electricity services necessary for life, health and public safety and to prioritize deliveries of natural gas to electric generation facilities that serve human needs customers.

Consumers – both residential and businesses – are urged to take steps to conserve energy. Conservation efforts are critical to ensure adequate power supply during this winter weather event.

Per OCC’s direction, consumers in the residential and business sectors should reduce thermostats settings and unplug all non-essential electronic devices; turn off all office and workplace lighting, including exterior illumination, when not necessary for protection of life and safety; turn off all exterior lighting not used for active public safety, which includes lighting to unused parking, exterior beautification, outdoor advertising not of a safety nature, etc., among other applicable measures for businesses and for residences.

Oklahoma’s electric cooperatives urge residential, commercial and industrial consumer-members to conserve energy as efficiently and as safely as possible.

This order is effective until Saturday, February 20, 2021.