NextEra found liable under Oklahoma laws in Uri gas case

An Osage County judge has found NextEra Energy Marketing liable under two Oklahoma laws in the state’s lawsuit over natural-gas prices during Winter Storm Uri, a ruling that leaves any financial recovery undecided.

The judge granted Oklahoma’s motion for partial summary judgment, finding liability under the Oklahoma Emergency Price Stabilization Act and the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act. The case concerns events during the February 2021 storm. The ruling does not award damages: the attorney general’s office says a trial will determine any overcharges, restitution or disgorgement, and its Sept. 29 announcement gave no amount.

The attorney general also said the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission dismissed a NextEra petition on Sept. 23 and that the state case can continue. That procedural action was not a decision on the merits of the disputed gas sales. The state’s energy-marketer lawsuits have been consolidated, according to the attorney general. The announcement did not provide a trial date.