By Associated Press - Wednesday, May 3, 2017

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) - An Oklahoma City-based utilities company is asking Arkansas Public Service Commission to approve a settlement in its case to change rates.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (https://bit.ly/2p95PMY ) reports the settlement, reached last month, allows Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co. to raise residential rates by about 9 percent. The utility has about 65,000 customers in the Fort Smith area and expects the increase will give them an additional $7.1 million.

John Bethel, executive director of the commission’s general staff, says the average monthly bill is about $77.



A 2016 study found that the utility company had the lowest residential rates in the region.

The commission will likely make a decision in the case by late May. If approved, new rates would begin June 1.

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Information from: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, https://www.arkansasonline.com

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