House Bill 3619 by State Rep. Terry O’Donnell, which was signed into law in May, ensures local property and business owners beginning Nov. 1 will have the right to connect to any utility legally operating in their area.

This protects private property rights and consumer choice and promotes free enterprise, said O’Donnell, R-Catoosa. “This law is a counter to what is known as the green movement that has taken root in 58 cities across the country and that is stifling energy choice for private consumers. These cities passed ordinances that make it difficult for utilities to hook up to private houses or businesses. This particularly happens with natural gas because some believe all fossil fuels are bad for the environment.”

This law prohibits a municipality or county from adopting similar ordinances, rules or codes that would restrict connections to utility providers that are legally operating in the state. The measure also prohibits discrimination in adoption of rules or codes against one or more utility providers based on the nature or source of the service provided – whether water, gas or electric. “This will protect and help Oklahoma utility companies develop and operate on a statewide grid, which would be extremely expensive for any one utility to build,” O’Donnell said. “It also helps prevent us having a patchwork where cities or counties might zone out or make it more difficult for utilities to operate in their areas.”