By: Barry Mangold OKLAHOMA CITY - Since record-low temperatures Oklahomans experienced last month, state energy providers have requested deferrals to allow the “extraordinary costs” of the winter storm to be spread out over longer periods of time for customers. Several prominent energy providers have requested the Oklahoma Corporation Commission allow the deferral, including Oklahoma Gas & Electric, Oklahoma Natural Gas, the Public Safety Company of Oklahoma, Arkansas Oklahoma Gas and others. OG&E estimated the cost of additional power purchases to be $1 billion, which they said was necessary because of a “profound crisis” in natural gas supply during the winter storm, according to OCC documents.