Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummon announced that the state’s lawsuit against NextEra Energy Marketing for allegedly violating Oklahoma law by charging excessive prices for natural gas during Winter Storm Uri will proceed to trial.

An Osage County court granted Drummond’s motion for partial summary judgment and found NextEra liable under both the Oklahoma Emergency Price Stabilization Act and the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act. The amount of damages, including overcharges, restitution and disgorgement, will be determined at trial.

“This ruling marks an important victory in our fight to hold NextEra accountable for the staggering prices Oklahomans were forced to pay during Winter Storm Uri,” Drummond said. “My office will continue fighting to ensure NextEra answers for the harm it caused and to recover every dollar possible for the Oklahomans exploited during the emergency.”

The ruling comes days after the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dismissed a petition from NextEra seeking federal jurisdiction over issues raised in Drummond’s lawsuit. The Sept. 23 dismissal allowed the litigation to continue in Oklahoma state court.

Drummond has filed several lawsuits against energy marketers alleging they artificially inflated natural gas prices during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. The lawsuits have been consolidated.

Source: Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office

Topics Windstorm Oklahoma