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-08-77 -- PSC Proposes New Rules For Electric Utilities To Recover Environmental Costs
Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- NOVEMBER 6, 2007
JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission has sent to the Secretary of State for publication in the Missouri Register proposed rules which would implement the environmental cost recovery portion of Senate Bill 179 (SB 179). The commission’s vote was 3-1. SB 179 was passed by the legislature and signed into law in 2005.
These proposed rules would apply to the state’s four investor-owned electric utilities.
SB 179 gives the commission the discretion to approve, modify or reject any environmental cost recovery mechanism after hearing and considering all relevant factors in a general rate case. Adoption of the proposed rules by the Public Service Commission would determine the guidelines under which an electric utility company could request an environmental cost recovery mechanism as part of a rate case where all of its costs of providing service to its customers would be considered.
SB 179 defines environmental costs as prudently incurred costs directly related to compliance with any federal, state or local government environmental law, regulation or rule.
If an environmental cost recovery mechanism were to be approved, it would appear as a separately identified surcharge on customer bills.
If an environmental cost recovery mechanism were granted to an electric company, the proposed rule allows for periodic rate adjustments outside of a rate case to reflect increases or decreases in an electric utility’s environmental costs. A maximum of two rate adjustments could be made in a given year.
Anyone may file comments in support of or in opposition to the proposed rules with the Secretary of the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. To be considered, comments must be received at the commission’s offices on or before January 2, 2008, and should reference the case (EX-2008-0105). If comments are submitted via a paper filing, an original and eight copies of the comments are required. Comments may also be submitted using the commission’s electronic filing and information system at http://www.psc.state.mo.us/efis.asp
The commission will hold a public hearing regarding the proposed rule on January 17, 2008. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. in Room 310 of the Governor Office Building, 200 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Missouri. Any person(s) with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Public Service Commission at least 10 days prior to the hearing at one of the following numbers: Consumer Services Hotline at 1-800-392-4211 or TDD Hotline at 1-800-829-7541.
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Case No. EX-2008-0105