Return to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission Homepage Oklahoma Corporation Commission
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Where do I file my papers for incorporation?
A: Secretary of State's Office. Tele # (405) 521-3911.
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Q: What should I do before I initiate any type of
construction along my property line?
A: 48 hours before you begin digging, call OKIE
One-Call in Oklahoma City at 840-5032. All other
areas, call 1-800-522-6543. The OKIE One-Call
System will notify all utility companies to locate
and mark their underground lines. Failure to contact
OKIE One-Call and cutting a utility line could result
with a major repair bill to the individual.
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Q: How do I identify my easement or property line?
A: Those records are located in the County Court House
of the county where the property is located.
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Q: What should I do if I have a concern or problem with
a regulated public utility?
A: Call the utility first. If the problem cannot be
resolved, the customer has the option to call the
Public Utility Complaints Department at the number
listed for them.
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Q: Who do I contact for a municipally owned utility
or rural water district issue?
A: This is outside of the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma
Corporation Commission. We would suggest that the
consumer discuss the issue with an elected official
that provides over sight for the utility in question.
For instance, city council person, mayor, board of
directors, etc...
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Q: I have a problem with my cable television company,
who do I contact?
A: This is outside the jurisdiction of the Oklahoma
Corporation Commission. The Federal Communications
Commission provides the necessary jurisdiction over
cable television companies. Their telephone number is
(202) 632-7000.
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Q: I just received a bill from a long distance carrier
that I did not choose, what can I do about it?
A: A number of long distance carriers have been involved
in "Slamming" or changing the long distance service
without the customer's permission.
a customer who has been "slammed" should:
1) contact their local exchange carrier;
2) notify the Federal Communications Commission at
(202) 632-7553;
3) notify your long distance carrier that is supposed to
be providing your long distance service.
Several interexchange carriers are currently facing
fines of $40,000 per violation from the FCC for
"slamming".
The United States Telephone Association (USTA) has
developed a press release with helpful tips as well
as the hazards of "slamming". To receive a copy of
the press release, contact Gabrielle Svenning at USTA,
email: gsvennin@usta.org or 202/326-7360.
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Q: Is there a way to check to see if my long distance
carrier was changed without my permission or
authorization?
A: Yes. You can call the following toll free number and it
will indicate the name of the long distance carrier
currently providing service to you: 1-700-555-4141.
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Q: I have a high electric bill, I do not think that my
electric meter is working correctly, what should I do?
A: For Oklahoma Corporation Commission regulated electric
utilities, first contact the utility about the bill. If
the meter was misread, the company will reread the meter
at no additional charge. You can request a copy of your
billing history for no additional charge.
You may request to have your meter tested by the utility,
however, if the meter is determined to fall within the 2%
accuracy standard, the utility may charge you for
performing the test. If the tested meter is outside the
accuracy standard, there is no charge to the customer.
If the meter is determined to be accurate, you may want to
obtain the services of an electrician to check the house
wiring and appliances for possible problems that maybe
causing the higher electrical usage.
The staff of the Consumer Services Division of the
Oklahoma Corporation Commission recommends that each
customer read their meter once a week, on the same day
and time of day during the week in order to determine
their usage.
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Q: If I receive a disconnection notice from an Oklahoma
Corporation Commission regulated electric, natural gas or
water company, what are my rights?
A: The first thing to do is contact the utility company if
you have any questions about the bill. MOST IMPORTANT:
contact the utility as soon as you receive the notice.
If you cannot pay the bill in full, you may request a
list of agencies that provide monies to help customers
pay their utility bills.
The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has established rules
for those utilities to provide payment agreements which
will allow the customer to pay out the high bill with
future current bills.
The payment agreement is based upon the following
criteria: 1) Consumer's gross income less employer
deductions; 2) Size of the delinquent account; 3)
Consumer's ability to pay; 4) Consumer's payment
history with the utility; 5) Length of time and reasons
why the debt has not been paid; 6) Other extraordinary
expenses of the consumer; 7) Loss of income through
unemployment or illness; 8) Any other relevant factors
concerning the circumstances of the consumer; 9) The
payments under such as agreement need not be equal in
amount.
With a change in the disconnection rules, consumers
cannot pay the bill on the scheduled day of
disconnection in order to avoid disconnection. The
bill has to be paid not later than the day prior to
the disconnection with the consumer notifying the
utility of the payment.
Unresolved settlements or complaints may be addressed to
the Public Utility Complaints Department of the Consumer
Services Division for investigation and mediation.
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Q: How does the regulated utility company determine a deposit
for service?
A: The deposit is based on 1/6 of the actual or estimated
annual service usage. Residential deposits will be
returned to customers with a good payment history. The
returned deposit will include interest.
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Q: If I make a payment to the utility and it is determined
that I have insufficient funds to cover my payment, what
happens?
A: First of all, a check with insufficient funds to pay the
bill is not considered a payment. The customer also,
takes a risk by sending a post dated check to a utility
because the utility will normally deposit the check or
payment instrument on the date of receipt.
Once the payment instrument is found to have insufficient
funds to cover it, the utility will send a 24 hour
disconnection notice to the consumer to correct the
problem or be subject to a disconnection of service.
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Q: What office at the Corporation Commission files mineral
deeds and leases?
A: Information of that nature is not available at the
Commission. Those documents are recorded in the county
clerk's office in the county where the minerals are
located.
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Q: Where can I obtain a copy of my division order
(for royalty payment)?
A: The company that issued the division order will need
to be contacted. A division order is a document that
directs the purchaser to pay the named interest owners
for the oil and gas in the proportions specified in a
particular well.
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Q: Who holds unclaimed funds?
A: The State Treasury Office now handles the Unclaimed Property
department. Their phone number is (405) 521-4275. Web site for Unclaimed
Property is www.missingmoney.com Address is 4545 N. Lincoln Blvd Ste 106,
Oklahoma City OK 73105.
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Q: How much revenue did a particular well generate?
A: The Gross Production Division of the Oklahoma Tax
Commission has information regarding revenues from wells.
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Q: Several parties are trying to lease my minerals. Who can
I contact for advice?
A: The Corporation Commission does not have jurisdiction
in the area of leasing. You may want to contact an oil
and gas attorney or one of the mineral owner associations
for assistance.
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Q: I am not receiving my royalty payments, what can I do?
A: The Corporation Commission does not have jurisdiction
in the area of payments. Non-payment of royalties is
a civil matter to be resolved in district court.
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Q: Who investigates cases of investor fraud in oil and gas
ventures?
A: The Oklahoma Securities Commission is the agency to
contact. Under certain circumstances, the FBI will also
conduct investigations of that nature.
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Q: If I believe that oil is being stolen from my lease,
who do I contact?
A: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is
the agency that investigates cases of suspected oil
theft.
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Q: There is a well near my home that makes so much noise
that I cannot sleep, what can be done?
A: Depending on where you live could mean some or no relief
for you. If you live in a town or city, they may have a
noise level prohibition, or the County Health Department
may provide assistance. In rural areas, there is no
regulation of noise.
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Q: How do I get a release of an oil or gas lease?
A: The Corporation Commission does not have jurisdiction
in the area of leasing. However, the agency could
provide you, upon request, a Certificate of Non-
Development which you can record in the county court
house in the county where the minerals are located.
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Q: I want to drill a water well on my property, do I need to
need to notify anyone?
A: The Oklahoma Water Resources Board is the appropriate
agency to contact concerning water wells.
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Q: Do I receive a credit on my telephone bill if I have an
outage?
A: Yes, if the outage has been continuous for more than 24
hours, the consumer reported the outage and has requested
a credit to their account.
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Q: What can I do to stop annoying telephone solicitations?
A: Although not regulated by the OCC, consumers can write to
the following address to have their name removed from
telephone solicitation lists:
Telephone Preference Service
P.O. Box 9014
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9014
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