Norman residents rejected a 25-year franchise agreement with Oklahoma Gas and Electric on Tuesday, a year after the same agreement was rejected by Norman voters.
According to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board, 50.09 % of voters voted against the agreement, while 49.91% voted in favor of it. In January 2023, 60.71% of voters rejected the same agreement, while 39.29% voted in favor of it.
Oklahoma does not have any automatic recount requirements for close races. Recounts must be requested by 5 p.m. the Friday following the election for one to take place.
The agreement would have allowed Oklahoma Gas and Electric to access Norman’s public easements, and right of way and easements to access electrical equipment for maintenance and service.
Norman also would have received a 3% franchise fee from the agreement. Speaking with NonDoc, OG&E Senior Manager of Economic Development and Community Affairs Alba Weaver said the city’s general fund would receive on average $2.8 million from OG&E’s revenue. If any other city within Oklahoma contracted with OG&E were to have their franchise fee exceed 3%, OG&E would have matched the increased rate with Norman.
Norman would have received a rebate on electricity for traffic lights, which wouldn’t have exceeded 0.5% of the kilowatt hours sold to Norman customers in the prior fiscal year.
The Oklahoma Constitution requires a franchise agreement every 25 years, prompting the Jan. 10, 2023 election. Norman’s previous agreement with OG&E ended in 2018.
On Aug. 7, 2023, after the agreement failed, Mayor Larry Heikkila filed a petition to restore the franchise agreement to the ballot. Heikkila told OU Daily he filed the petition as a private citizen.
This story was edited by Peggy Dodd and Ismael Lele.
