Your utility company got a break at the first of the year -- why should you have to wait?? “I think it’s incumbent upon utilities to be forthcoming about the amount of money they’re saving from the tax law, so that we can have a public debate about it,” said Coffman. “You’re a regulated monopoly. I don’t understand the justification for keeping that information from the public.” http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/questions-still-abound-about-what-tax-reform-means-for-your ...
Category: Other Consumer Issues
Scam Alert #MOLEG
Special interests have massive $$ campaign. Help us get the word out on a major scam in #MOLEG that will raise utility bills for the most vulnerable among us. And many of our state reps are going along for the ride. Don't be fooled by the bogus "rate cap" bill bought and paid for by Ameren. Sign up here to keep track of how your state rep votes on bills that will raise your utility rates: https://moconsumers.org/my-missouri-rep-votes/ ...
Veiwpoints: The Consumer Perspective
Confused about the Ameren-backed bill in #MOLEG? Check out the consumer perspective on Missouri Viewpoints with Mike Ferguson. https://vimeo.com/256598784 ...
Public Service Commission Analysis of SB564
The PSC has issued a detailed analysis of the Ameren-backed bill that is currently being debated in the Missouri House of Representatives. The analysis points out many problems with the bill, particularly with the proposed accounting mechanism which would make Missouri the first and only state in the country to provide this bonus type of profit calculator. Download the detailed report below. Staff Analysis SB 564 perfected final with matrix appendix Version 2 ...
Tax cuts spur KCP&L rate update case.
While KCP&L is proposing a rate increase, CCM is calling for a decrease: calling on state officials to evaluate how the tax cuts might be rolled into utility costs http://www.newspressnow.com/news/business/tax-cuts-spur-kcp-l-rate-update-case/article_bebbab39-1e1e-5c80-b028-a5fe5eedcb17.html ...
Senate Bill 564
The Missouri Senate has been up all night trying to ram through Senate Bill 564 .Some facts about SB 564 as it stands today... SB 564 a bill that would dramatically raise household electric rates by up to 20%. The so-called "rate caps" are phony and will not protect consumers. SB 564 would mandate a retroactive accounting method for bonus electric rate increases (PISA). This PISA method that has been rejected by the MO PSC, and has not been allowed in any state jurisdict ...
Water Rates Skyrocketing?
Massive Water Rate Increase: 45% proposal in St. Louis County. Consumers Council has the following concerns: The request is based on an estimate of future expenses rather than audited costs, which means that consumers could be overcharged. Rates should be based on actual costs, not guesses. It would add a charge that would raise rates when usage declines, a “save more, pay more” model. This is would disincentivize conservation and essentially shift the risk burden from the in ...
Consumer Groups Concerned about Multiple Bills
Formula rate bills before the MO Senate would punish the state’s consumers with the formula "save more — pay more." https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missouri-senators-seek-to-allow-utility-corporations-to-increase-rates/article_dfc665c4-0153-11e8-b80a-9b8c8e3ebffe.html ...
Rate Raising Legislation on Fast Track.
Legislation promoted by Ameren and other utilities was rammed through committee last week. Bill offers artificial caps and would raise electric rates in 5 different ways. ...

Advocating for low income families
Today, CCM Board Chair Jackie Hutchinson and Consumer Utility Counsel John Coffman are in Jefferson City testifying before the Public Service Commission on behalf of residential consumers in Missouri in the Spire / Laclede rate case. Jackie, as our expert witness, is advocating on behalf of a low-income program to protect some of Missouri's most vulnerable consumers. ...