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-08-90 -- PSC Issues Ruling In Staff Complaint Against Universal Utilities
Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – DECEMBER 14, 2007
JEFFERSON CITY—The Missouri Public Service Commission has authorized its general counsel to go to circuit court to seek penalties against Universal Utilities, Inc. and its president Nancy Carol Croasdell. The PSC ruled that the company and its president violated Missouri statutes by providing water and sewer services without PSC authority since January 31, 2003.
The commission issued a judgment in default. The PSC staff sought a decision stating the company and its president had refused to respond to certain PSC staff data requests, even after the commission had granted staff’s motion to compel those responses.
“Through their refusal to comply with the Commission’s discovery order and their refusal to even respond to Staff’s motion for default judgment, the Respondents (Universal Utilities, Inc. and Nancy Carol Croasdell) have displayed an utter disdain for the authority of the Commission,” said the commission’s order. “Still, the entry of a default judgment for a refusal to answer data requests is a severe sanction. In another type of case, the Commission might be inclined to impose a lesser sanction to try to force the Respondents to comply. However, in the circumstances of this case, default judgment is appropriate.”
On September 13, 2007, the PSC staff filed a complaint alleging Universal and its president Nancy Carol Croasdell were providing water and sewer service to the public for gain without a certificate or other authority from the PSC. Staff alleged in its complaint that Universal unlawfully provided water and sewer services to the Blue Acres Mobile Home Park in Columbia. Blue Acres has approximately 114 pads.
On October 24, 2007, staff amended its complaint alleging that through investigation, it had reason to believe Universal is holding itself out as a public utility and is providing water and sewer services to the following mobile home parks in Missouri: Green Hills Mobile Home Park in Columbia; Coach Mobile Home Court in Arnold; Valley View Village in Blue Springs; and Bunker Hill Mobile Home Park in Kansas City.
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Case No. WC-2008-0079