The House on Feb. 29 passed House Bill 4097, also known as the Oklahoma State Transmission Accountability and Reliability Act (Oklahoma STAR Act).
As chair of the House Utilities Committee, I worked alongside the author of this legislation for many months, meeting with dozens of folks from various energy sectors. The measure is complex, but it is a valiant attempt to address the ever-increasing cost of electricity for Oklahomans and to keep those rates as low as possible.
HB4097 restores oversight of energy transmission in the state back to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) and eliminates accountability loopholes. Such oversight was stripped under the Obama-Biden Administration, causing the state to lose the authority to the federal government to contain costs associated with certain high-voltage transmission projects prior to those costs being passed on to Oklahoma ratepayers.
The federal order also removed the state Corporation Commission's ability to oversee the reliability and maintenance and operation of high-voltage transmission in the state. The result was that that unregulated entities can own critical infrastructure in Oklahoma while avoiding answering to the OCC or any other State body for costs or reliability.
In a letter of support for the measure to myself and other members of the House Utilities Committee, Oklahoma Corporation Commissioner Kim David said new high-voltage transmission projects should be constructed at the lowest reasonable cost for ratepayers by requiring competitive bidding for projects. She further explained HB 4097 moves the competitivebidding process to the state where it will be overseen by an independent evaluator appointed by the OCC. This is similar to the long-standing competitive bidding process utilized for generation projects, which she said has worked successfully for ratepayers during her time on the commission.
My constituents expect me to help them manage utility bills that have risen sharply in recent years. This is an effort to do that by giving oversight back to our corporation commissioners. Out-of-state corporations have invested billions in Oklahoma in renewable energy and transmission, and the OCC should have oversight to regulate every dollar of that investment. They also should be restored the authority to regulate every aspect of energy in the state.
In other news, I am working in the district with those affected by and fighting the wildfires that are destroying homes and threatening lives. We've had more than 30 wildfires in the state, with 13 homes lost to date.
Over 1 million acres in the have been lost in these fires, along with rural structures, equipment and livestock. There will be a need for disaster assistance. I want to thank our amazing first responders. I will continue to support them and my constituents in every way possible.
Outside the Vici Rodeo Arena, there is a hay drop to aid those affected by the wildfires. They need hay and tractors. John Salisbury put it together and anyone interested can contact him at (580) 3344584.