Norman council debates OG&E renewal

NORMAN — City council members have approved a resolution calling an election to renew a 25-year franchise agreement with Oklahoma Gas and Electric Co., but not before amending the proposed agreement to include five-year performance reviews and optout clauses.

The council Tuesday night also amended the agreement to include a ban on chemical spraying by the utility unless prior approval from the council is obtained, and no tree or vegetation removal without adequate notice to homeowners.

The franchise agreement must be approved by voters and accepted by OG&E. Council called for a Nov. 14 election.

OG&E officials attended the meeting, which lasted until almost midnight before a vote was taken, and included hours of debate about the proposed agreement.

James Chappel, community affairs manager for OG&E and a former council member, urged council members to accept the 25-year proposed franchise agreement without amendments because it mirrored agreements around the state with other cities and towns. The company, he said, was willing to work with residents on issues that concerned council members, such as chemical spraying and pursuing renewable energy options, but did not believe restrictions belonged in the franchise agreement.

Councilwoman Kate Bierman said no city in Oklahoma has ever amended the proposed franchise agreement with OG&E, calling it a gray area that she believed people were “willing to wade into.”

The same franchise agreement has been in effect since 1923, she said, “and it’s time to update it.”

Bierman and other council members said they received a lot of emails from constituents who opposed a 25-year agreement.

Chappel said the company needed a 25-year commitment from the city because of the cost of the infrastructure investment required to serve Norman customers.

If voters approve the franchise agreement, OG&E would continue to distribute, transmit and produce electricity in the city unless the company decides to reject the amended franchise agreement.