Oklahoma Compliance Case Study

Some Oklahomans who don’t want digital smart meters to measure electricity usage at their homes and communicate that data with the power provider using cellular technology could be allowed to opt out of the program — if they are willing to pay to make that choice.

A proposal by Public Service Co. of Oklahoma to allow for that option cleared a hurdle this week when an administrative law judge at the Oklahoma Corporation Commission recommended its approval.

Next, the judge’s recommendation will be reviewed by the commission’s elected three-person board.

PSO sought a one-time fee of $183 to cover the cost of swapping a customer’s new digital meter with a replacement that won’t be capable of transmitting (communication modules will be removed), and then a monthly fee of $28 to physically read the

"I wouldn't ever have thought I would be in an adoption situation," Carter said. "Never in my life."

He met his new adoptive family, the Rairigh's, just months ago at an adoption matching event. They only spoke for a few minutes, but Ray and Debbie Rairigh said they knew quickly that Carter was it.

"It became very apparent to us that he was the child," Ray Rairigh said.

The Rairigh's moved forward with adoption proceedings soon after.

"They said there was something on their heart that made them choose me," Carter said.

At 17, Carter knew his chances at being adopted were slim at best. In Hillsborough County, and statewide, there is a massive shortage of people looking to adopt teenagers.

"They see sometimes just a small example of a child not doing well or a child getting in trouble with the law," said Lesa Sims with Eckerd, the agency that runs foster care in Florida. "I think they become fearful that this might be the child that I'm going to get in my home."

Sims said teenagers are still just kids who need