Recently, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission heard a second round of testimony on a deal that would fund roughly half a billion dollars in construction projects for Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. (OG&E). The company is seeking approval to raise prices to finance these projects through a method known as Construction Work in Progress (CWIP).

This move is enabled by Senate Bill 998, a new state law that allows utility companies to use CWIP and charge customers before any benefits are delivered. As OG&E awaits a decision on its rate increase request, customers are bracing for higher utility bills. The discontent over SB 998’s CWIP provisions highlights a growing tension between infrastructure development and consumer protection.

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