The Missouri Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned electric, steam, natural gas, water and sewer and telephone companies. Its mission is to ensure Missouri consumers have access to safe, reliable and reasonably priced utility service while allowing those utility companies under our jurisdiction an opportunity to earn a reasonable return on their investment. The PSC also regulates manufacturers and retail dealers who sell new and used manufactured homes and modular units. The commission was established in 1913. The PSC is comprised of five commissioners, who are appointed by the governor.
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PR-08-46 -- PSC Sets Hearing Schedule In The Empire District Electric Company Rate Case
Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- OCTOBER 4, 2007
JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission has scheduled formal evidentiary hearings for mid-May in an electric rate case filed by The Empire District Electric Company.
Hearings, to be held in Room 310 of the Governor Office Building in Jefferson City, are scheduled to begin on May 12, 2008. Hearings are scheduled through May 16, 2008 and from May 19, 2008 through May 23, 2008. The Governor Office Building meets accessibility standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If any person needs additional accommodations to participate in the hearings, please call the Missouri Public Service Commission’s hotline at 1-800-392-4211 (voice) or Relay Missouri at 711 prior to the hearings.
The Public Service Commission will hold local public hearings in The Empire District Electric Company service area to receive customer comment on the rate request. Dates, times and locations will be announced when finalized.
Applications to intervene and participate in this electric rate case must be filed on or before October 23, 2007, with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. Copies of the application should be sent to: James C. Swearengen, Esq., Brydon, Swearengen & England, 312 East Capitol Avenue, P.O. Box 456, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0456; and the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230.
The Office of the Public Counsel is a separate state agency that represents the general public in matters before the Commission. Individual citizens wishing to comment should contact either the Office of the Public Counsel (Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Suite 650, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230, telephone 573-751-4857, e-mail opcservice@ded.mo.gov) or the Public Service Commission Staff (P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102, telephone 1-800-392-4211, e-mail pscinfo@psc.mo.gov).
On October 1, 2007, The Empire District Electric Company filed a $34.7 million electric rate case with the Public Service Commission. Empire states that the “major factors driving Empire’s proposed rate increase are the capital additions to Empire’s system including the Riverton 12 generating plant and pollution control facilities at the Asbury Power station; the financial impact, both capital and expense, related to the January 2007 ice storm; and capital expenditures associated with Empire’s participation in the construction and ownership of the Iatan II and Plum Point coal-fired generating plants. Other costs associated with providing safe and reliable electric service to Empire’s customers have also increased since Empire’s last rate adjustment.” Empire is also requesting the implementation of a fuel adjustment clause.
If approved, Empire states a residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity would experience a monthly increase of approximately $9.75.
The Empire District Electric Company serves approximately 144,000 electric customers in the Missouri counties of Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk, St. Clair, Stone and Taney.
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Case No. ER-2008-0093