TULSA, Okla. (February 4, 2022) – Mayor G.T. Bynum and Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) today encouraged Tulsa voters to approve a 15-year extension of the city’s franchise with PSO.
All registered city of Tulsa voters are eligible to vote in the Tuesday election. Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting is available 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday at Tulsa County Election Board, 555 N. Denver Ave.
The franchise gives PSO the right to use city streets, alleys and rights of way to provide critical electric services, perform maintenance and improvements, quickly restore power following severe weather, and support the city’s growth by serving new customers.
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As part of the franchise agreement, PSO collects important revenue for the city to fund essential services and right of way enhancement.
Mayor G.T. Bynum and the Tulsa City Council approved the terms of the franchise agreement in November following a community town hall and a series of public hearings.
“The City’s ongoing partnership with PSO has provided sustainable electricity to Tulsans for decades, and with the renewal of the proposed franchise agreement, the City will be able to address long-standing projects by implementing an aggressive power line burial program and securing and converting our entire highway lighting system to more efficient and reliable technology,” Mayor G.T. Bynum said. “This franchise agreement will be a substantial improvement to our already successful 100-year partnership with PSO while enhancing our partnership during emergencies and creating more opportunities for economic development.”
PSO is headquartered in Tulsa, with more than 1,100 employees in the Tulsa area.
PSO is the local operating company of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP).
“PSO has been Tulsa’s partner in growth for more than 100 years,” said PSO President and Chief Operating Office Peggy Simmons. “Renewing the PSO franchise will continue that successful relationship for another generation and power Tulsa’s bright future.”
About PSO
PSO, a unit of American Electric Power (Nasdaq: AEP), is an electric utility company serving more than 562,000 customer accounts in eastern and southwestern Oklahoma. Based in Tulsa, PSO has approximately 3,800 megawatts of generating capacity fueled primarily by natural gas, 22-thousand miles of distribution lines and 37-hundred miles of transmission lines. PSO also is one of the largest distributors of wind energy in the state. News releases and other information is at www.PSOklahoma.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, NextDoor and Instagram @PSOklahoma.
Media Contacts:
Wayne Greene
PSO Corporate Communications
(918) 521-1474
lwgreene@aep.com
Michelle Brooks
City of Tulsa
(918) 637-8228
mbrooks@cityoftulsa.org
About American Electric Power (AEP)
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 16,700 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.5 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 5,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2030. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2000 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2050. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com.