Oklahoma § 17-152 - Commission's jurisdiction over public utilities Examination of requests for review of rates and charges

§ 17-152. Commission's jurisdiction over public utilities Examination of requests for review of rates and charges

A. The Commission shall have general supervision over all

public utilities, with power to fix and establish rates and to

prescribe and promulgate rules, requirements and regulations,

affecting their services, operation, and the management and conduct

of their business; shall inquire into the management of the business

thereof, and the method in which same is conducted.

B. 1. When any public utility subject to general supervision

pursuant to this section or to Section 158.27 of this title shall

file with the Commission a request for review of its rates and

charges, such request shall be given immediate attention.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 17. Corporation Commission

2. In the exercise of this responsibility, the Commission shall

complete any examination of such request for a review of its rates

and charges within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date such

application for review of its rates and charges is filed.

3. Public hearings on such matter must commence within fortyfive (45) days of the end of such examination to be conducted by the

Commission and in no event shall the conclusion of such examination

of the rates and charges and the hearing conducted by the Commission

exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the date the request was

filed.

4. If such request for review of the applicant's rates and

charges has not been completed and an order issued within one

hundred eighty (180) days from the date of filing of such

application, some or all of the request for changes in the rates,

charges, and regulations made in such application shall be

immediately placed into effect and collected through new tariffs on

an interim basis at the discretion of the applicant.

5. Should the Commission determine upon the completion of its

examination and public hearings that a refund regarding the amount

of interim relief is appropriate and necessary, the Commission shall

order such refund including reasonable interest at the one-year U.S.

Treasury bill rate accruing on that portion of the rate increase to

be refunded for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days from the

effective date of the rate increase which is being refunded.

C. The Commission shall have full visitorial and inquisitorial

power to examine such public utilities, and keep informed as to

their general conditions, their capitalization, rates, plants,

equipments, apparatus, and other property owned, leased, controlled

or operated, the value of same, the management, conduct, operation,

practices and services; not only with respect to the adequacy,

security and accommodation afforded by their service, but also with

respect to their compliance with the provisions of this act, and

with the Constitution and laws of this state, and with the orders of

the Commission.

Added by Laws 1913, c. 93, p. 150, § 2. Amended by Laws 1993, c.

231, § 2, emerg. eff. May 26, 1993; Laws 1994, c. 315, § 6, eff.

July 1, 1994.