Oklahoma bill would allow natural gas producers to charge more ... - KOKI FOX 23 TULSA
Oklahoma bill would allow natural gas producers to charge more during emergencies | Local & State | fox23.com
OKLAHOMA CITY — A new bill would allow natural gas producers to charge more in the event of an Oklahoma emergency or national emergency.
House Bill 2561 adds natural gas to a law that already lets petroleum prices be increased by more than 10%, even during an emergency. Supporters said the bill allows producers to adjust their prices to fit market prices better.
Many House Democrats raised concerns that making the change would hurt ratepayers and give more money to an already wealthy industry.
"I don’t understand, Mr. Speaker, why we would be working in favor of a single industry instead of working on behalf of the people of Oklahoma," said State Rep. Andy Fugate, (D) Del City.
"And for the very moms and pops that are doing the very best they can, just trying to stay warm in their homes, how is it, that we in this body don’t care about everyday folks?" said State Rep. Regina Goodwin, (D) Tulsa.
House Democrats debated against HB 2561, which despite their opposition, passed overwhelmingly on a party-line vote of 81-12.
The bill's author said he’s just modifying the current statute to make it more accurate.
"It just adds natural gas, where before it was in as petroleum," said State Rep. Mark McBride, (R) Moore.
McBride acknowledged that Oklahomans have felt the pain of rising energy prices, but argued a lot of it was caused by the mismanagement of natural gas providers, not producers. Back in 2021, a winter storm caused thousands in Oklahoma to lose power, and utility providers raised rates after they themselves struggled to find energy sources.
"I don’t blame any of this on oil and gas companies that produce natural gas. I think our utilities were ill-prepared, and they don’t like me saying that, but that’s just my opinion," McBride said.
HB 2561 now heads to the Senate where it awaits a hearing in committee.