A Tulsa hospital worker received an electric bill exceeding $1,370 after her utility company added a nearly $600 deposit related to previous late payments, prompting her to launch an online petition and raise awareness about escalating power costs in her region.
Electricity prices have been rising faster than overall living costs across the United States, particularly during hot summer months when cooling demands peak. The primary utility serving Tulsa, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, sought a 15% rate increase this year but agreed to reduce it to 1% through a settlement pending regulatory approval. Nonetheless, bills are climbing due to unusually intense summer heat, with the area experiencing more than double the typical number of days exceeding 100 degrees, a pattern linked to climate change.
Oklahoma faces distinct challenges in utility shutoff practices. PSO disconnects customers at more than five times the national average rate, according to data from the U.S. Energy Department. While some states prohibit shutoffs during peak summer heat, Oklahoma’s regulatory commission permits them when the heat index remains below 101 degrees, and efforts to establish stricter protections have stalled.
Local nonprofits have stepped in to assist struggling customers. The Helping Hand Ministry in downtown Tulsa spends approximately $14,000 weekly to prevent power disconnections, supported by foundations and local churches. Despite these efforts, thousands of area residents lose power monthly over unpaid bills. Workers earning decent wages report difficulty managing expenses, while those with fixed or limited incomes face impossible choices between utilities, rent, and food.
Nationally, more than 13 million people experience power shutoffs annually due to unpaid bills, with approximately one million occurring during August alone. Energy experts warn the situation will likely worsen as electricity costs continue rising and extreme heat events become more frequent and intense.
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