The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office will monitor natural gas supply and marketing activity as extremely cold weather approaches the state. Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced this measure to protect consumers from possible price manipulation or unfair practices.
Drummond stated that his office aims to prevent a recurrence of market abuses similar to those seen during the 2021 Winter Storm Uri, which led to increased energy costs for residents.
“It is critical that Oklahomans are not exploited, especially during extreme weather events,” Drummond said. “While energy markets can experience volatility during periods of severe cold, those conditions do not excuse predatory behavior or violations of contractual obligations. Ratepayers deserve fair and transparent costs that reflect legitimate market conditions.”
Public utilities have been asked by the Attorney General to quickly inform his office if they notice natural gas marketers failing to meet their supply obligations or engaging in suspicious or potentially unlawful activities.
Drummond also noted ongoing litigation and investigations into excessive natural gas pricing during the 2021 winter storm. He stressed that his office remains alert and ready to take action if similar issues occur during the current period of cold weather.
