Oklahoma Electricity Disconnections Highest in Nation as Families Face Rising Bills

Oklahoma Electricity Disconnections Highest in Nation as Families Face Rising Bills

Oklahoma electricity disconnections occurred at the highest rate in the nation in 2024, according to federal data, as rising utility costs and limited protections leave some households struggling to keep their power connected.

The issue gained renewed attention after Tulsa resident Raelynn McMurchy shared a $1,373 electric bill that she said was higher than her monthly rent. The bill included a nearly $600 deposit imposed after previous late payments, adding to the amount she needed to pay while trying to catch up.

Oklahoma Electricity Disconnections Lead the Nation

Newly released data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows Oklahoma recorded 572,480 residential electricity disconnections for nonpayment in 2024, while utilities served more than 1.8 million residential customers.

Oklahoma's monthly disconnection rate ranged from 2.10% to 3.34%, higher than any other state. Texas was the closest, with monthly rates ranging from 0.95% to 2.67%.

The federal data can be reviewed through the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Public Service Company of Oklahoma, or PSO, accounted for 290,739 disconnections in 2024, while Oklahoma Gas & Electric recorded another 167,254.

Researchers and consumer advocates have pointed to several factors that can make Oklahoma households particularly vulnerable, including lower household incomes, limited consumer protections and poor residential energy efficiency.

For families already struggling to cover monthly expenses, falling behind can also create additional costs through deposits, reconnection requirements and overdue balances.

Tulsa Woman's $1,373 Bill Highlights Rising Electricity Costs

McMurchy, who works the night shift at a Tulsa hospital, said the size of her electric bill was unsustainable for her family.

She launched an online petition on August 14 calling on Oklahoma regulators to stop what she describes as unfair PSO rate increases. The petition had attracted nearly 25,000 verified signatures at the time of the report.

The controversy comes as PSO has sought another increase in residential electricity rates.

PSO originally proposed raising residential rates by approximately 15%, but the company later reached a settlement with the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office that would reduce the proposed increase to approximately 1%. The agreement still requires approval from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Details of that agreement are available through the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulates investor-owned electric utilities in the state and ultimately decides whether proposed utility rate changes can take effect.

Electricity Prices Continue to Outpace Overall Inflation

The pressure facing Oklahoma households is part of a broader national increase in electricity costs.

By early 2026, nationwide electricity prices had increased roughly 42% from 2019 levels, compared with an approximately 29% increase in overall consumer prices during the same period, according to an analysis cited in the source material.

Higher utility costs are also contributing to growing household debt. A 2025 analysis of consumer credit data estimated approximately 14 million Americans had utility debt that had either been sent to collections or was at risk of being sent to collections.

The average overdue utility balance increased 32% between 2022 and June 2025, climbing from $597 to $789.

Oklahomans facing difficulty paying utility bills may qualify for assistance through programs administered by Oklahoma Human Services, including the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP.

The combination of rising electricity prices and Oklahoma's unusually high shutoff rate means a missed payment can quickly become a larger financial problem for families already operating on tight budgets.

With more than half a million residential shutoffs recorded in a single year, Oklahoma electricity disconnections have become a significant affordability issue as regulators consider future utility rates and consumers continue dealing with higher energy costs.

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