Background Document

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Background Document Energy and Water Our 2003 Town Hall Julie Knutson, President and CEO, The Oklahoma Academy John Feaver, 2003 Town Hall Chairman and President, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma This document was assembled to allow Town Hall members to educate themselves on the Energy and Water issues prior to our November Town Hall. It will help you become reasonably fluent and able to participate in informed group debate and discussions. And it will serve as a reference source for you. We suspect that ... before August 14th ... some were wondering why we think that energy and water are so important to Oklahoma and the Nation. Then the lights went out in the Northeast. Our Research Chairman was in New York at the time. He reports that the most often uttered four-letter word was ... G-R-I-D ... as in power grid. He also reported that the most important short-term concern was “getting enough water.” He told us that one of the first things that came to mind was that we selected a wonderfully timed topic for our 2003 Town Hall. We have slightly reorganized our Town Hall. This year our Academy Vice-Chairman will be the presiding officer over all Town Hall activities. And we have enlisted two experienced co-chairs; one for Energy and one for Water. They will help keep us on task and in focus as we conduct the Town Hall. We also have done something else differently. We have included the public policy recommendations that are a part of the state’s existing Energy and Water Plans. There are 51 Energy recommendations and 76 Water recommendations. They are listed but not differentiated. That will be your job. We have also included policy recommendations from two New Mexico Town Halls. They are not intended to be pre- drawn conclusions ... they are intended to be a starting point for discussions. We hope you can synthesize them and develop a dynamic direction for Oklahoma. Finally, here are the Cliff Notes for the topics. When considering energy, think of (1) maximizing produc- tion our existing resources and marginal reserves (2) marketing our energy knowledge and (3) alternative energy sources. When considering water, think of (1) water quantity (2) water quality and (3) ownership. Here’s trusting that you will have a great Town Hall experience. We’ll see you at Quartz Mountain. Julie Knutson John Feaver Larry Nichols Howard Barnett, Jr. Michael Lapolla President & CEO Chairman Co-Chairman (Energy) Co-Chairman (Water) Research Chairman Oklahoma Academy 2003 Town Hall 2003 Town Hall 2003 Town Hall 2003 Town Hall Energy & Water © 2003 The Oklahoma Academy Town Hall PERSPECTIVES - 1 Oklahoma Resources Energy and Water OUR TOWN HALL Julie Knutson, President and CEO, The Oklahoma Academy John Feaver, 2003 Town Hall Chairman and President, University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma PERSPECTIVES NEW MEXICO FIRST TOWN HALLS Why New Mexico? .....................................................................................................................................P-1 REVISITING “BUFFALO COMMONS” Deborah E, Popper, Associate Professor of Geography, College of Staten Island/City University of New York, Staten Island, NY; and Frank J. Popper, Professor, Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ. During the Fall 2003 semester the Poppers will be Visiting Professors in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at Princeton University. ..............P-2 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Carl Michael Smith, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Fossil Fuels, USDOE and Executive Summary, Western Water Policy Review Commission .............................................................P-4 STATE GOVERNMENT Robert J. Sullivan, Jr., Secretary of Energy, Keating Administration; Miles Tolbert, Secretary of the Environment; Kathy Taylor, Secretary of Commerce; and Denise Bode, Chairman, Corporation Commission ...............................................................................................................................................P-8 TRIBAL GOVERNMENTS Office of Tribal Justice, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ): DOJ Policy on Indian Sovereignty and Government-to-Government Relations with Indian Tribes .....P-13 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS Jess Nelson, Mayor, Guymon and Ken Vanderslice, City Manager, Duncan .........................................P-17 OTHERS Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, Dr. Bruce M. Bell, Chairman ................................................P-19 Nature Conservancy of Oklahoma, Tim Grogan, Executive Director ....................................................P-24 Oklahoma Chapter of the Sierra Club, Tom Libby, Executive Director .................................................P-26 2 - PERSPECTIVES © 2003 The Oklahoma Academy Town Hall Energy & Water A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR ENERGY WHY A TOWN HALL ABOUT ENERGY? Charles Mankin, PhD, Director, Sarkey’s Energy Center and the Oklahoma Geological Survey ...........E-1 A NEW MEXICO TOWN HALL Executive Summary of a 2002 New Mexico First Town Hall: New Mexico’s Energy, Economics, and Environment ...............................................................................E-4 A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR ENERGY Robert J. Sullivan, Jr., Secretary of Energy, State of Oklahoma Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................E-8 Introduction .............................................................................................................................................E-13 Overview – Our Nation’s Energy Picture................................................................................................E-13 Oklahoma’s Oil and Gas Sector ..............................................................................................................E-14 Protecting Oklahoma’s Environment ......................................................................................................E-18 Oklahoma’s Coal and Electricity ............................................................................................................E-22 Oklahoma’s Energy Infrastructure – Rebuilding an Aging Network ......................................................E-23 List of All Recommended Strategy Initiatives .........................................................................................E-27 MORE ABOUT ENERGY OUR ENERGY INDUSTRIES We Are An Oil A Natural Gas State Oklahoma Natural Gas: Past Present and Future Dan T. Boyd, Oklahoma Geological Survey ...........................................................................................E-30 The Changing Role of Oil and Gas in Oklahoma Mark C. Snead, Research Economist, Oklahoma State University ........................................................E-40 State Policy and the Private Sector Thomas S. Price Jr., Senior Vice President, Chesapeake Energy ...........................................................E-44 Protecting Critical Infrastructure Denise Bode, Chairman, Oklahoma Corporation Commission .............................................................E-52 Energy & Water © 2003 The Oklahoma Academy Town Hall PERSPECTIVES - 3 MAXIMIZING EXISTING RESOURCES Energy Research and Development Christine Hansen, Executive Director, Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission ..........................E-53 MARKETING OUR ENERGY KNOWLEDGE Capitalizing on Oklahoma’s Energy Complex: Robert Langenkamp, University of Tulsa College of Law and Director, National Energy-Environment Law and Policy Institute..................................................E-56 The Energy Weather Project at OU: Institute for Energy Economics and Policy, University of Oklahoma. Students: Emmanuel Cabrera, Alicia Fitts, Reed Timmer and Xiaoyi Mu, Faculty Advisors: Peter Lamb, PhD CIMMS, Dennis O’Brien, PhD IEEP, and Mike Richman, PhD CIMMS ................E-61 LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES An Oklahoma Perspective Mark Meo, PhD, Professor, Civil Engineering and Environmental Science and Fellow, Science and Public Policy, University of Oklahoma, Norman; and Steve Sadler, PhD, Professor, Department of Geography, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater ................................................................................E-65 Winds of Change: A Utility Perspective on Wind Energy Richard P. Walker, Director, Business Development for AEP Wind Energy, LLC ..................................E-74 Forecast for New Wind Power Installation American Wind Energy Association: Provided by William R. McKamey, AEP-Public Service Company of Oklahoma.........................................................................E-76 Wind Power in Woodward, Oklahoma Russell Ray, World Staff Writer, 08/17/2003, Tulsa World......................................................................E-78 Pricing Wind Generated Electricity in Oklahoma Tom Droege, World Staff Writer, 08/13/2003, Tulsa World.....................................................................E-79 OTHER PLACES New Mexico: State Bets on Hydrogen Future ........................................................................................E-80 Colorado: Business Empire Transforms Life for Colorado Ute Tribe ...................................................E-83 Minnesota/Iowa/Texas: States Invest in Wind Power ............................................................................E-89 4 - PERSPECTIVES © 2003 The Oklahoma Academy Town Hall Energy & Water A PROPOSED STRATEGY FOR WATER WHY AN OKLAHOMA TOWN HALL ABOUT WATER? “Lawmakers see need
Recommended publications
  • Idaho Welcomed As Full Member of Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission
    Idaho welcomed as full member of Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission May 11, 2017 (Boise) - Idaho was welcomed as a full member state of the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission (IOGCC) during the 2017 IOGCC Annual Business Meeting in Oklahoma City this week. As Idaho's official representative at the meeting, Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) Director Tom Schultz was presented a welcome letter to Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter, signed by the governors and official representatives of IOGCC's six founding states. House Bill 52 was approved by the Idaho Legislature during its 2017 session and was signed into law by Governor Otter on March 20, giving final authorization for Idaho to join IOGCC as a full member. Idaho has been an associate member since 2015; however, with commercial oil and gas production now under way in Idaho the state is eligible for full membership. Since it is a compact commission, both the governor and the Idaho Legislature had to approve the full membership application. The official membership begins on July 1, 2017 when the bill goes into effect. The IOGCC was established in 1935 by the states of Texas, Oklahoma, California, Kansas, Illinois and New Mexico. The purpose of the compact is to conserve oil and gas by preventing waste and maximizing production while protecting human health, safety, and the environment. Idaho becomes the 31st full member state. The last full member state admitted to IOGCC was Virginia in 1982. As a full member Idaho is able to: Access effective practices from nationwide resources
    [Show full text]
  • Energy and Environment Legislative Digest 2001
    Energy and Environment Legislative Digest 2001 A compilation of representative energy and environmental quality legislation enacted by 18 southern states and territories during the 2001 legislative sessions With an introduction by the Honorable Judy Hawley State Representative of Texas SSEB Vice-Chair September 2001 Published by: Southern States Energy Board 6325 Amherst Court Norcross, Georgia 30092 Phone: (770) 242-7712 Fax: (770) 242-9956 Email: [email protected] Web: www.sseb.org 1 Table of Contents Introduction: Representative Judy Hawley, Texas -------------------------------------------- 5 Categories of Energy Legislation --------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Categories of Environmental Legislation ----------------------------------------------------- 17 Note on Using the Matrices and Graphs ----------------------------------------------------- 19 Matrix of 2001 Energy Legislation ------------------------------------------------------------- 21 Matrix of 2001 Environmental Legislation --------------------------------------------------- 23 Graph of Overall Energy Legislation ---------------------------------------------------------- 25 Graph of Overall Environmental Legislation ------------------------------------------------- 27 Alabama --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Arkansas --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39 Florida ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    [Show full text]
  • Ally, the Okla- Homa Story, (University of Oklahoma Press 1978), and Oklahoma: a History of Five Centuries (University of Oklahoma Press 1989)
    Oklahoma History 750 The following information was excerpted from the work of Arrell Morgan Gibson, specifically, The Okla- homa Story, (University of Oklahoma Press 1978), and Oklahoma: A History of Five Centuries (University of Oklahoma Press 1989). Oklahoma: A History of the Sooner State (University of Oklahoma Press 1964) by Edwin C. McReynolds was also used, along with Muriel Wright’s A Guide to the Indian Tribes of Oklahoma (University of Oklahoma Press 1951), and Don G. Wyckoff’s Oklahoma Archeology: A 1981 Perspective (Uni- versity of Oklahoma, Archeological Survey 1981). • Additional information was provided by Jenk Jones Jr., Tulsa • David Hampton, Tulsa • Office of Archives and Records, Oklahoma Department of Librar- ies • Oklahoma Historical Society. Guide to Oklahoma Museums by David C. Hunt (University of Oklahoma Press, 1981) was used as a reference. 751 A Brief History of Oklahoma The Prehistoric Age Substantial evidence exists to demonstrate the first people were in Oklahoma approximately 11,000 years ago and more than 550 generations of Native Americans have lived here. More than 10,000 prehistoric sites are recorded for the state, and they are estimated to represent about 10 percent of the actual number, according to archaeologist Don G. Wyckoff. Some of these sites pertain to the lives of Oklahoma’s original settlers—the Wichita and Caddo, and perhaps such relative latecomers as the Kiowa Apache, Osage, Kiowa, and Comanche. All of these sites comprise an invaluable resource for learning about Oklahoma’s remarkable and diverse The Clovis people lived Native American heritage. in Oklahoma at the Given the distribution and ages of studies sites, Okla- homa was widely inhabited during prehistory.
    [Show full text]
  • Multi-Stakeholder Group Directory 2
    Multi-Stakeholder Group Directory January 2017 January 2017 USEITI Multi-Stakeholder Group Directory 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Designated Federal Officer WILSON, Judith .................................................................................................... 7 Government - Members CARLSON, Curtis Paul .......................................................................................... 8 GOULD, Gregory James ....................................................................................... 9 MATTHEWS, Michael Darryl ............................................................................ 10 SMITH, Carl Michael .......................................................................................... 11 LENIOR, Julie ...................................................................................................... 12 WARE, Claire ...................................................................................................... 13 Government - Alternates BARNETT, Bruce ................................................................................................. 14 STEWARD, James .............................................................................................. 15 VOSKANIAN, Marina ........................................................................................ 16 Civil Society Organization - Members ADAMSON, Rebecca Lee ................................................................................... 19 BRIAN, Danielle Gilda .......................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 05-0986Cover.Pub (Read-Only)
    OKLAHOMA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FY-06 LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS AUGUST, 2005 Fiscal Year 2006 Legislative Appropriations Oklahoma House of Representatives Speaker Todd Hiett Appropriations and Budget Committee Representative Chris Benge, Chairman Representative Jim Newport, Vice Chairman August, 2005 Prepared by: Office of Budget and Performance Review APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET COMMITTEE Chris Benge, Chair Jim Newport, Vice Chair Thad Balkman Tad Jones Curt Roggow Debbie Blackburn Mark Liotta John Smaligo David Braddock Ray McCarter Opio Toure John Carey Bill Nations John Trebilcock Lance Cargill Ron Peters Purcy Walker Joe Eddins Subcommittees Education Natural Resources & Regulatory Tad Jones, Chair Curt Roggow, Chair Sally Kern, Vice Chair Rex Duncan, Vice Chair Neil Brannon Dennis Adkins Odilia Dank James Covey Lee Denney Dale DeWitt Abe Deutschendorf Larry Glenn Terry Ingmire Danny Morgan Ray McCarter Ron Peterson Bill Nations Jerry Shoemake Pam Peterson Purcy Walker Jabar Shumate Mike Wilt General Government & Transportation Public Safety & Judiciary Mark Liotta, Chair John Trebilcock, Chair Shane Jett, Vice Chair Rob Johnson, Vice Chair Brian Bingman Jari Askins Joe Dorman Gus Blackwell Guy Liebmann Kevin Calvey Bob Plunk Lucky Lamons Wade Rousselot Fred Morgan John Nance Health & Social Services Subcommittee Paul Roan Thad Balkman, Chair Glen Bud Smithson Marian Cooksey, Vice Chair Dale Turner Mike Brown Doug Cox Select Agencies Joe Eddins John Smaligo, Chair Jerry Ellis Steve Martin, Vice Chair Sue Tibbs John Auffet Ryan Kiesel Human Services Greg Piatt Ron Peters, Chair Barbara Staggs Lisa Billy, Vice Chair Ray Young John Carey Rebecca Hamilton Wes Hilliard Mike Jackson Kris Steele Note: The same Members appointed to the Appropriations and Budget Committee were appointed to the General Conference Committee on Appropriations (GCCA).
    [Show full text]
  • The Syndicate
    NOTE TO THE READER This book is an attempt to arrive at a view of twentieth-century history that explains the events. I have made available all my sources in the Notes. I am aware that the quality of the sources varies. Some are unimpeachable, others of more dubious reliability. The truth is that there is quite simply not always a good source for every judgment in this field. Government of any kind involves secrecy. I have put it all down, warts and all, and leave it to the reader's judgment as to whether it is all smoke and no fire. My people perish for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 It will be enough for me ... if these words of mine are judged useful by those who want to understand clearly the events which happened in the past and which (human nature being what it is) will, at some time or other and in much the same ways, be repeated in the future. My work is not a piece of writing designed to meet the taste of an immediate public; but was done to last for ever. Thucydides, History of The Peloponnesian War ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am grateful to the authors of the books that appear in the Notes, many of whom had the courage to question the official line and describe current affairs as they saw them. I am grateful to many people who have shared my enthusiasm for finding out what is really happening in the world today, the story behind the news: the story the public is not told.
    [Show full text]
  • Docket Report Page 1 of 172
    U.S. District Court Web PACER(v2.4) Docket Report Page 1 of 172 Docket as of January 17, 2005 9:42 am Web PACER (v2.4) U.S. District Court Eastern District of Oklahoma (Muskogee) CIVIL DOCKET FOR CASE #: 72-CV-95 Williams, et al v. Saffle, et al Filed: 04/24/72 Assigned to: District Judge James H. Payne Demand: $50,000 Nature of Suit: 443 Lead Docket: None Jurisdiction: Federal Question Dkt# in other court: None Cause: 42:1983 Civil Rights Act ROBERT M. WILLIAMS, et al. R. Thomas Seymour (representative of the Class) [COR LD NTC] plaintiff 100 W. Fifth St. Suite 550 Tulsa, OK 74103 (918) 583-5791 Louis W. Bullock [COR LD NTC] 320 S. Boston Street Suite 718 Tulsa, OK 74103 (918) 584-2001 BOBBY BATTLE, et al. R. Thomas Seymour (representative of the Class) [term 04/04/00] plaintiff (See above) [term 04/04/00] [COR LD NTC] Louis W. Bullock [term 04/04/00] (See above) [COR LD NTC] Michele T. Gehres [term 04/04/00] [COR LD NTC] 320 S. Boston Street Suite 718 Tulsa, OK 74103 (918) 584-2001 http://pacer.oked.uscourts.gov/dc/cgi-bin/pacer740.pl 10/11/2005 U.S. District Court Web PACER(v2.4) Docket Report Page 2 of 172 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Melody Noble Nelson intervenor plaintiff [term 06/24/96] [COR LD NTC] Office of the Attorney General 4545 N. Lincoln Blvd. Suite 260 Oklahoma City, OK 73105-3498 (405) 521-4274 Sheldon J. Sperling [COR LD NTC] U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • + Agenda Sovereignty Symposium 2009 LAND, WIND, and WATER June 3 – June 4, 2009 Skirvin
    + Agenda Sovereignty Symposium 2009 LAND, WIND, AND WATER June 3 – June 4, 2009 Skirvin - Hilton Hotel Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Presented by The Oklahoma Supreme Court The Oklahoma Indian Affairs Commission The Indian Law Section of the Oklahoma Bar Association The Oklahoma Arts Council The University of Tulsa College of Law The University of Oklahoma College of Law Oklahoma City University School of Law and The Sovereignty Symposium, Inc. __16__ hours of CLE credit for lawyers will be awarded, including __1_ hour of ethics. NOTE: Please be aware that each state has its own rules and regulations, including the definition of “CLE”; therefore, certain portions of the program may not receive credit in some states. The Sovereignty Symposium was established to provide a forum in which ideas concerning common legal issues could be exchanged in a scholarly, non- adversarial environment. The Supreme Court espouses no view on any of the issues, and the positions taken by the participants are not endorsed by the Supreme Court. Wednesday, June 3, 2009 a.m. 4 CLE credits / 1 ethics included p.m. 3.5 CLE credits / 0 ethics included Wednesday Morning: 7:30 – 4:30 Registration 8:00 – 8:30 Complimentary Continental Breakfast 10:30 – 10:45 Morning Coffee / Tea Break 8:30 –12:00 PANEL A: SURFING THE GRID MODERATOR: HONORABLE CHARLES CHAPEL, Judge, Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. CO- MODERATOR: JIM ROTH, ESQ., Phillips, Murrah, PC, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Honorable Gregory E. Pyle, Chief, Choctaw Nation, Durant, Oklahoma. Honorable Bobby Wegener, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Oklahoma.
    [Show full text]
  • In the 46Th Ifoklahoma Legislature
    L 1400.5 W628 1997/98 c.3 Who is Who in the 46th ifOklahoma Legislature Oklahoma Department of Libraries March, 1997-$3.00 Who is Who in the 46th Oklahoma Legislature The Oklahoma Department of Libraries 200 N.E. 18th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73105 1997 Table of Contents Oklahoma Elected Officials page 1 Governor page 2 Lieutenant Governor page 3 Cabinet Members page 4 About the Oklahoma Legislature page 5 Legislative Service Bureau page 6 Senate Senate Organization page 6 President Pro Tempore page 7 Senators by District page 7 Senate Members page 8 Senate Committees page 20 Senators Telephone Reference page 22 House of Representatives House Organization page 23 Speaker of the House page 24 House Members page 25 House Committees page 49 State Representatives by District page 53 State Representatives Telephone Reference page 54 This publication printed and issued by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries as authorized by 65 O.S. 1991, §3-110. Five-hundred copies have been prepared and distributed at a cost of $863.85 Copies have been deposited with the Publications Clearinghouse of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. 2/28/97 m Oklahoma Elected Officials Governor Frank Keating Commissioner of Labor State Capitol Brenda Reneau Oklahoma City, OK 73105 4001 N. Lincoln Boulevard 405/521-2342 FAX 405/521-3353 Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Tulsa: State Office Building 405/528-1500 FAX 405/528-5751 440 S. Houston matt-grapham@ou. edu Tulsa, OK 74129 918/581-2801 FAX 918/581-2835 http://www.state.ok.us/osfdocs/govhp.ht ml Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett Oliver Hodge Mem.
    [Show full text]
  • State of Oklahoma Comprehensive
    OKLAHOMA 2002 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2002 Frank Keating Governor Prepared by Office of State Finance Tom Daxon, Director Brenda Bolander, State Comptroller The Oklahoma Comprehensive Annual Financial The Office of State Finance would appreciate Report is an annual publication of the Oklahoma credit for any reprint. Office of State Finance and is prepared by the Division of Central Accounting & Reporting. Requests for additional copies, comments or questions may be directed to Shawn Ashley, This publication is issued under authority of the Office of State Finance, 2300 North Lincoln Office of State Finance. Pursuant to 74 O.S. Blvd., Suite 122, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 1992, Section 3105, 1100 copies have been 73105. prepared and distributed at a cost of $13,550.00. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page INTRODUCTORY SECTION Letter of Transmittal.............................................................................................................................................................. 7 Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting..................................................................................... 16 Selected Oklahoma State Officials ...................................................................................................................................... 17 State Organizational Chart................................................................................................................................................... 18 FINANCIAL
    [Show full text]
  • Ponca City Hazard Mitigation Plan Including Public School District #71 January 2017
    Ponca City Hazard Mitigation Plan Including Public School District #71 January 2017 Table of Contents LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 CHAPTER 1 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 8 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................................... 8 PURPOSE.................................................................................................................................................................................. 8 AUTHORITY .............................................................................................................................................................................. 8 FUNDING ................................................................................................................................................................................. 9 GRANT PROGRAMS: ................................................................................................................................................................ 9 CHAPTER 2 ........................................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 1998 News Releases Archive Combined
    News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission News from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Office of Public Information — Phone: (405) 521-4180 FAX (405) 521-6945 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/28/98 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Deceptive Telephone Practices Exposed OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is paying more attention to long distance carriers who are disregarding the rights of their customers. This morning in a 3-0 vote, Commissioners Ed Apple, Bob Anthony and Denise Bode found that the long distance carrier Business Discount Plan, Inc., which serves small business customers, has violated Oklahoma Corporation Commission rules which prohibit telephone ‘slamming’. Slamming is the switching of a consumer’s long distance carrier without permission. "We (the Commissioners) put the telephone companies on notice then that if they don’t start paying more attention to their customers, we will start paying more attention to them. That is what this is about" said Commissioner Bode, referring to a Commission hearing last October about deceptive and illegal telephone marketing practices. The Commission ordered Business Discount Plan, Inc. to pay a $13,000 fine for violating its slamming rules. In addition, the Commission put Business Discount Plan, Inc. on notice that if the company continued to use deceptive and illegal marketing practices, its ability to do business in the state of Oklahoma would be greatly jeopardized and any fines may significantly increase. "The rights of Oklahoma consumers are to be taken seriously and held in the highest regard. Business Discount Plan, Inc. is hereby put on notice that it is the intent of the Commission to move toward the most severe penalty allowed under law…the Commission will not hesitate to assess the maximum penalty permitted by law should similar deceptive and illegal long distance marketing practices continue.
    [Show full text]