In Oklahoma, one family's electricity costs more than doubled in a month.
What's happening?
According to KSWO, Sandra Bailey, a PSO customer in Lawton, saw her electric bill reach $551 after paying $268 for a 32-day billing cycle from May through June — an increase of $283.
Bailey's billing notice said temporary PSO rates took effect July 1. PSO said the typical household would pay about $25 more per month under those rates, but Bailey said her statement shows $128.31 in taxes, fees, and other charges not tied to the amount of electricity her family used.
"It's expected for your electric bill to go up in the summer, but it's not expected to double or triple," Bailey said.
KSWO also reported that PSO's app estimated a bill could be as high as $866. Bailey said her family usually keeps the thermostat between 77 and 78 degrees and believes the larger issue is not excessive electricity use but the growing list of charges added to basic service.
Why does it matter?
Bailey said the increase is especially hard because of back-to-school costs, forcing her family to scale back spending on plans and children's activities.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
"We can't even go out for like a weekend. We can't plan for anything. Extracurricular activities for the kids are not an option at this point," Bailey said. "I can't possibly afford to pay $550 electric bill and then pay another however much for kids' clothes."
KSWO reported that a survey cited in the report found that 64% of Americans report higher energy bills and blame utility companies instead of their own usage.
What's being done?
According to KSWO, Bailey sought help through PSO and was directed to outside assistance programs, including the Salvation Army and the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP. She said those options ultimately did not provide relief.
"I put in all of our information and I'm not eligible for it," Bailey said of LIHEAP. She said the program's website then referred her to the Salvation Army, where no local help was available either.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
In a written statement shared with KSWO, PSO said its customer service team can be reached around the clock to answer questions and walk customers through billing. The company also said it offers payment plans, extensions, and home weatherization assistance to help customers reduce costs.
PSO further said that it wants new major energy users, including data centers, to cover their own infrastructure costs so current customers do not absorb those expenses.
"When everybody is seriously struggling with everything from gas prices just to get to and from work, that's made a difference, to the grocery bills that have gone up, to utilities that keep going up, rent that keeps going up," Bailey said. "You're pushing people beyond the point of really not being able to enjoy any aspect of life."
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
