In the sweltering summer of 2026, residents of Tulsa, Oklahoma, are facing an unprecedented crisis with their electric bills. The combination of extreme heat and rising electricity prices has pushed many families to the brink, forcing them to make impossible choices between paying for electricity, rent, and food.
The situation has become so dire that some residents are turning to social media to voice their frustrations. Raelynn McMurchy, a night-shift worker at a Tulsa hospital, recently shared her shock at receiving an electric bill of $1,373, which included a nearly $600 deposit due to previous late payments. Her TikTok video, which quickly gained over 100,000 views, highlighted the unsustainable nature of these rising costs for her family.
Rising Electricity Prices and Rate Hikes
Across the country, electricity prices have been climbing faster than the In Tulsa, the main power company, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), initially sought a 15% rate increase for residential electric rates this year. However, a pending settlement with the state attorney general has reduced this to a 1% increase, pending regulatory approval.
Even without a rate increase, Tulsa electric bills are spiking due to the searing summer heat. The city has experienced more than twice the average number of triple-digit days, a trend exacerbated by climate change. As the demand for air conditioning surges, so do the bills, leaving many residents struggling to keep up.
The Risk of Power Shutoffs
Oklahoma residents who fall behind on their bills face a higher risk of having their power shut off compared to the national average. PSO cuts power to customers at more than five times the average national rate. While some states prohibit shutoffs during the hot summer months, Oklahoma allows them as long as the heat index is under 101 degrees. Efforts by consumer advocates to lower this threshold have been unsuccessful.
Joanne Pearson, who runs the Helping Hand Ministry in downtown Tulsa, emphasizes the harsh reality of living without electricity in extreme heat. Every Monday and Tuesday morning, cash-strapped customers line up at her office holding letters warning of imminent power disconnection. Volunteers like John Johnson work tirelessly to negotiate with PSO’s parent company to keep the lights on for as long as possible.
Stories of Struggle and Relief
Ashley Fonseca Mejia, a retail worker, expressed relief when a $350 payment towards her past-due balance kept her power from being disconnected. Eric Widger, who works at the Kimberly-Clark toilet paper factory, has seen his power bill double to around $500 a month. He recalls the heartbreak of having his power cut off in the past and the financial burden of paying $700 or $800 to restore it.
The Helping Hand Ministry spends up to $14,000 a week assisting people with overdue bills, thanks to contributions from foundations and the First Presbyterian Church. Despite their efforts, thousands of other utility customers in the area still face power shutoffs each month.
PSO’s Response and Future Challenges
In response to the public outcry, PSO CEO Leigh Anne Strahler acknowledged the affordability concerns and emphasized the company’s investments in power generation and grid strengthening to meet growing demand. She highlighted the need to plan for Oklahoma’s growth while protecting existing customers.
Strahler also mentioned PSO’s payment assistance programs and energy efficiency initiatives aimed at helping customers manage their bills. However, with electricity prices continuing to climb and summers getting hotter, the challenge is likely to worsen. Mark Wolfe, who runs a group of state energy assistance directors, warns that the situation is a national issue, with more than 13 million people facing power shutoffs each year.
As Tulsa residents continue to grapple with soaring electric bills and the threat of power shutoffs, the need for sustainable solutions and regulatory changes becomes increasingly urgent.
