In Oklahoma, poor families often have to live in the dark

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, June 23, 2026

The Public Service Company of Oklahoma leads the nation in monthly residential electricity disconnections, frequently cutting power to struggling low-income customers under its pay-as-you-go program. This ongoing issue exacerbates hardships for vulnerable families, prompting nonprofits and assistance programs to become essential in preventing extended outages during critical times.

In Oklahoma, disconnections of residential electricity service occur more frequently than in any other state, creating persistent hardships for low-income families struggling to maintain power. The Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is among the top utilities in the nation for the number of annual shutoffs, ranking fifth overall despite serving fewer customers than many larger utilities. Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E), the state’s other major electric provider, ranks 14th. Unlike other utilities, PSO disconnects a notably high percentage of its customers each month, exceeding 3.8% monthly and reaching more than 6% in October 2024.

PSO attributes much of this pattern to its Power Pay program, a pay-as-you-go service used by approximately 2.5% of customers. Under this arrangement, utilities customers add money toward their electricity usage in small increments, triggering brief and frequent interruptions when payments lapse. PSO states these interruptions typically last only minutes and that service is quickly restored once payments are made. The company confirmed its efforts to offer flexible payment plans and assistance programs for customers facing financial hardship.

Despite these assurances, families affected by disconnections describe the real-world impact as acute, especially for those already facing economic struggles. Tammy Dikes, a Tulsa resident, went months with her power off before securing financial aid to cover her $884 bill and the $446 deposit required to restore service. Dikes, who cares for her child Nicole, whose special needs require stable routines, said the unpredictability and lack of refrigeration during the summer months aggravated an already difficult situation. She relied on reselling a broken lawn mower and hauling neighbors’ trash to gather money while applying for federal energy assistance.

Other residents report similar challenges. Nytieya Tobias found her electricity cut off despite owing less than $40; after paying the bill, she faced another shutoff warning a month later without the means to pay. Lexie Givens, a retiree living on Social Security, experienced abrupt disconnection when she was unable to pay a $240 bill and had no grace period, forcing her to stay temporarily with family until emergency funds arrived from her tribal community.

Officials from OG&E emphasize that most customers are reconnected quickly after disconnection, often within hours or the next day. Johnny Whitfield, vice president of customer engagement at the utility, stated that interruptions reflect how customers manage their bills rather than permanent loss of service.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission, responsible for utility regulation in the state, declined to provide interviews, with representatives noting that they do not directly control disconnections.

The situation reveals systemic challenges in balancing utility operations with the economic realities faced by many Oklahomans. Nonprofit organizations like Tulsa’s Helping Hand Ministry play a critical role in bridging gaps, assisting residents unable to pay deposits or overdue bills, especially as temperatures climb during the summer months. For families like Dikes’s, these interventions are often the last lifeline to maintain essential electricity service.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.