Benefits of a PSO Franchise

Additional Questions about Franchise Votes

Why do we have to have a franchise election every 25 years?

Article 18, Section 5A of the Oklahoma Constitution states that utility providers must have a franchise with the cities and towns it serves, via a vote of the citizens of those cities and towns. The 1999 Oklahoma Supreme Court Case of Oklahoma Electric Cooperative Inc. v. Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company says that if an electric utility is going to serve a city, it must have a franchise agreement to do so. This franchise agreement must be voted on and approved by the citizens of that city, to document the agreement between the utility company and the city. There are no "exclusive" franchises allowed within the State.

What does the franchise agreement allow PSO to do?

In its simplest terms, the franchise agreement allows "the City to grant to the Company the right, privilege, and authority to produce, transmit, distribute and sell electricity within the corporate limits of the City for all purposes for which it may be used, to the City, its inhabitants and the public generally, and the right, privilege, and authority to construct, maintain and operate a system of poles, wires, conduits, transformers, substations, and other facilities and equipment in, upon, across, under and over the streets, alleys, public grounds or ways in each and every part of said City, for the purpose of producing, transmitting, distributing and selling electricity to the City, its inhabitants, and to the public generally." Having the franchise agreement, which covers both the Company and its contractors, prevents PSO from having to seek a permit for each and every infrastructure project or storm restoration effort within the city's limits.

How can you get involved?

Exercising your right to vote is the simplest and best way to ensure your PSO franchise vote is a successful one.

If you have any questions about any franchise election, please email us at psocorpcomm@aep.com