Drummond, Mazzei clash over electricity costs during GOP Governor Runoff Debate

TULSA, Okla. –

Electricity affordability became a key issue in the GOP Governor Runoff Debate as Gentner Drummond and Mike Mazzei offered contrasting proposals for lowering utility costs while discussing the proposed aluminum smelter project near Inola.

The exchange began after Mazzei promoted his proposal to eliminate Oklahoma’s state income tax. Drummond criticized the proposal before the discussion shifted to electricity rates and the impact of large industrial projects on Oklahoma’s power grid.

Federal data highlights Oklahoma electricity disconnections

The debate comes as the U.S. Energy Information Administration reports Oklahoma had the highest residential electricity disconnection rate in the country in 2024.

According to the federal data:

Average monthly residential cutoff rate: 2.53%
Highest monthly rate: 3.34% (October)
Lowest monthly rate: 2.10% (December)

Court filings also state the proposed Inola aluminum smelter is expected to require more than 1,000 megawatts of continuous electricity, an amount estimated to be enough to power more than 750,000 homes.

Candidates outline different approaches

When asked what he would say to Oklahomans struggling to keep their air conditioning running, Mazzei pointed to inflation and said increasing competition in Oklahoma’s electricity market would lower prices.

“Oklahoma needs more competition,” Mazzei said, adding that opening the state’s electricity market to greater free-market competition would help reduce energy costs.

Drummond said his focus is on holding Oklahoma’s regulated utilities accountable. He said any major industrial development should include local oversight, recycled water where possible and requirements that companies pay for the electricity they consume.