Oklahoma § 17-180.1 - Advertising expenses by public utilities

§ 17-180.1. Advertising expenses by public utilities

A. Advertising expenses shall not be included by a public

utility in its operating expenses for ratemaking purposes.

B. For purposes of subsection A of this section:

1. "Advertising" means:

a.

the commercial use by a public utility of any media

including, but not limited to, newspaper, magazine, radio and

television to transmit a message to the public or to such public

utility's customers, or

b.

the commercial use by a public utility of any printed

material to transmit a message to a substantial number of members of

the public or to a substantial number of the public utility's

customers;

2. "Advertising" shall not mean:

a.

periodic publications or reports required by the

bylaws of any public utility or electric cooperative, b.

any

communication with customers and the public which is strictly

limited to energy conservation and education,

c.

any communication with customers and the public which

provides telephone customers with instruction in the use of new,

changed or improved features of their telephone service, or

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 17. Corporation Commission

information about time periods or other conditions under which long

distance calls may be made at reduced rates, or information which

promotes the efficient use of the telephone network; provided that

if the cost of providing such information is to be treated as an

operating expense by the public utility, it shall be clearly marked

or identified to indicate the identity of the public utility and the

fact that the cost is paid for by the ratepayers of the public

utility,

d.

any communication with customers and the public for

giving of information or notice required by law or otherwise

necessary to warn of dangerous or hazardous conditions,

e.

routine classified telephone listings for the

convenience of customers,

f.

informational inserts in customers' bills,

g.

any communication with customers and the public which

informs existing and potential customers of the availability and

conservation features of energy-efficient appliances and equipment,

h.

any communication with customers and the public which

relates to industrial development, and

i.

any communication with customers and the public which

is in furtherance of conservation or load management programs

approved by the Corporation Commission;

3. "Public utility" means any individual, firm, association,

partnership, corporation or any combination thereof, other than a

municipal corporation or their lessees, trustees and receivers,

owning or operating for compensation in this state equipment or

facilities for:

a.

producing, generating, transmitting, distributing,

selling or furnishing electricity,

b.

the conveyance, transmission, reception or

communications over a telephone system; provided that no authority

not otherwise a public utility within the meaning of this section

shall be deemed such solely because of the furnishing or furnishing

and maintenance of a private system, or

c.

transmitting directly or indirectly or distributing

combustible hydrocarbon natural or synthetic natural gas for sale to

the public; and

4. "Appliances" and "equipment" mean those individual

appliances and space-conditioning equipment introduced by

manufacturers after November 9, 1978, which operate at a level of

efficiency at least twenty percent (20%) greater than appliances and

space-conditioning equipment of the same energy type manufactured

prior to that date.

Laws 1977, c. 263, § 1; Laws 1981, c. 294, § 1.