Winter Storm Uri Charges Spark Oklahoma Supreme Court Challenge

Refund Demand for Utility Customers

The long-running legal battle over extra charges tied to Winter Storm Uri has reached Oklahoma’s highest court. State Representative Tom Gann has asked the Oklahoma Supreme Court to order refunds for customers of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO).

The charges stem from over $1 billion in debt utilities took on during the February 2021 storm, when natural gas prices skyrocketed, and power companies scrambled to keep energy flowing.

What Was Winter Storm Uri?

Winter Storm Uri was the historic arctic blast that paralyzed Oklahoma and much of the central U.S. in February 2021. Temperatures in Oklahoma City dropped below -14°F, with ice and snow blanketing the state.

As demand for heat surged, fuel supplies froze and utilities were forced to buy natural gas at emergency prices hundreds of times higher than normal. To cover those costs, lawmakers approved a bond securitization program, allowing utilities to spread the debt across decades of customer bills in the form of monthly charges.

Gann Argues Lack of Oversight

In his filing, Gann argues that the bond payback program was never independently audited, leaving Oklahomans on the hook for charges that may not have been fully justified.

Gann said in his brief: “Oklahomans deserve accountability. Families should not be saddled with billions in debt that was never properly audited.”

Similar lawsuits have been filed against OG&E and Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG), putting the entire securitization process under scrutiny.

What’s at Stake for Oklahomans

• Customers could see refunds or reduced charges if the court sides with Gann.

• A ruling against utilities could set precedent for how future storm costs are handled.

• Without relief, customers could continue paying Uri-related surcharges on their bills for decades.