News-Record.com

The following is a Counterpoint:

By Stuart Solomon

Oklahomans will long remember 2007 as the year in which our state faced the worst natural disaster in its history.

On Dec. 9 and 10, a devastating ice storm hit Oklahoma, downing power lines, several damaging countless trees and presenting enormous challenges for our company's electric customers and dozens of the communities we serve.

At the storm's peak, Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) had more than 250,000 customers without power in northeastern Oklahoma -- more than half of all our customers.

Almost 80 percent of the Tulsa metro area was without power in the aftermath of the storm.

Fortunately, help was soon on the way. More than 5,000 utility workers from across the country -- including the fine workers from Duke Energy -- traveled to Oklahoma and worked side-by-side with our crews to get the lights back on.

The Duke employees worked long, hard hours for several days, helping us to restore electric service to virtually everyone by Christmas.

Every Duke employee has our profound gratitude for their assistance during this crisis. We simply couldn't have restored service without their help and the help of so many other dedicated, committed utility professionals.

The fact that they spent so many days away from home, just before the holidays, makes us appreciate their assistance even more.

All of us at PSO thank the workers from Duke Energy for coming to our aid during this difficult time. Each of you has our heartfelt thanks and very best wishes for a safe and happy 2008.

The writer is president and COO of Public Service Company of Oklahoma.