Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Oklahoma Corporation Commission

Great Seal of Oklahoma
Agency overview
Formed November 16, 1907
Headquarters Jim Thorpe Building
2101 N. Lincoln Blvd
Oklahoma City
Employees 372 classified
95 unclassified
Annual budget $304 million (FY 2010)
Minister responsible
Website Oklahoma Corporation Commission

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission is the public utilities commission of the U.S state of Oklahoma run by three statewide elected commissioners. Authorized to employ more than 400 employees, it regulates oil and gas drilling, utilities and telephone companies.

History

The commission was established in 1907 and the First Oklahoma Legislature gave the commission authority to regulate public service corporations.[1]

Railroad, telephone and telegraph companies were the companies first regulated by the commission, which also collected records of the stockholders, officers and directors of corporations chartered or licensed to do business in Oklahoma.[1] Record collection duties were later split; the commission keeping records only for public service companies.[1] The commission added pipelines, water, heat, light and power in early years.[1]

The commission began regulating oil and gas in 1914 and was given additional regulatory power over the industry the following year.[1]

Terms and qualifications

Candidates for the commission must be a citizen of Oklahoma for over two years before their election, at least 30 years of age and have no interest in any entity regulated by the commission.[2]

Commissioners serve a six-year term.[3] The terms are staggered so that one commissioner is up for re-election every two years, in even-numbered years. The chair of the commission is determined by the three commissioners.

In case of vacancy the Governor of Oklahoma appoints a replacement, to stand until the next general election.[3] The commissioner elected at that election will serve the remaining unexpired term, so as to maintain the staggered term system.[3]

Duties

The Commission regulates and enforces the laws and supervised the actives associated with:

Early emphasis for the commission was on regulation of railroad routes and rates. Through changes by the Legislature, and the change in services considered essential to the public welfare, the commission presently regulates public utilities, oil and gas industry (exploration, drilling, production and waste disposal), motor carrier transport, and petroleum products industry (transportation, storage, quality and dispensing). The commission also monitors a number of federal programs for compliance in Oklahoma. The commission also oversees the conservation of natural resources, avoiding waste production, abate pollution of the environment, and balancing the rights and needs of the people of Oklahoma with those of the regulated entities.

Membership

As of October 2011, the following are the members of the commission:

Member Officer Since Party
Bob Anthony Chairman January 9, 1989 Republican
Todd Hiett Commissioner January 12, 2015 Republican
Dana Murphy Commissioner January 12, 2009 Republican

Notable former members

Organization

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Staffing

The commission, with an annual budget of over $60 million, is one of the larger employers of Oklahoma state government. For fiscal year 2012, the commission was authorized 430 full-time employees, but experience numerous vacancies.[5]

Division Number of Employees Budget (in millions)
Administration Division 34 $4.4
Consumer Services Division 17 $1.4
Petroleum Storage Tank Division 55 $9.2
Oil and Gas Conservation Division 123 $15
Administrative Hearings Office 35 $3.4
Public Utilities Division 33 $5.2
Office of Legal Services 26 $2.7
Transportation Division 131 $16.2
Information Technology 26 $2.8
Total 480 $60.2

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Annual Report - History and Responsibilities (accessed May 22, 2013)
  2. ↑ Section IX-16, Oklahoma Constitution Online (accessed May 22, 2013)
  3. 1 2 3 Section IX-15, Oklahoma Constitution Online (accessed May 22, 2013)
  4. ↑ "Oklahoma Gov. appoints first openly gay statewide official". Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. 2007-05-14. Retrieved 2007-06-07.
  5. ↑ Fiscal Year 2012 Annual Report, Oklahoma Corporation Commission (accessed May 22, 2013)
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