Category: Utilities

Consumer Groups Concerned about Rate Mechanisms

Consumer groups are concerned with new rate increase mechanisms proposed in legislation before the Missouri Senate. http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2018/01/23/ameren-seeks-support-for-plan-that-would-change-way-rate-hikes-approved/ ...

CCM calls for reduction in utility rates after massive drop in corporate taxes.

Consumers Council of Missouri wants swift attention paid to the new corporate tax rate, which has fallen this year from 35%-to-21% and will bring massive savings to the state’s investor utilities. The watchdog group says the companies will realize hundreds of millions of dollars in extra money if utility rates continue to be calculated based on the 35% rate.  Consumers Council notes electric companies in Massachusetts, Illinois, Oregon, Arizona and other states have announced pl ...

Corporate Tax Break Reduces Utility Bills in Many States, MO?

JEFFERSON CITY / ST. LOUIS -- January 22, 2018 Consumers Council of Missouri is calling for the state of Missouri to take swift action to evaluate and the pass through to consumers the hundreds of millions of dollars utility companies will enjoy following the passage of the new tax law. Current utility rates are calculated based on a corporate tax of 35%, a rate which was just dropped by a whopping 40%.   Electric companies in Massachusetts, Illinois, Oregon, Arizona  ...

Federal Tax Cut Should Benefit Consumers or Investors?

For most companies, the big federal tax cut flows straight to the bottom line. When it comes to regulated utilities, however, should the windfall go to consumers or investors? http://www.stltoday.com/business/columns/david-nicklaus/utilities-can-t-keep-their-corporate-tax-cut-the-money/article_942e9b70-4b50-5b27-928b-96bb348f557d.html ...

Economic Development: Driven by Ratepayers

#MOLEG Special Session: an economic development package paid for by utility ratepayers. “What passed in the special session was an economic development package on the backs of ratepayers,” the Consumers Council of Missouri, a consumer advocacy nonprofit, said in a statement. “What worries us is the 10-year rate clause, allowing the Public Service Commission to set rates for 10 years that would disable future commissions from revisiting those special rates.” http://www.bizjourna ...

Household Energy: Not a luxury.

Cara Spencer of the Consumers Council of Missouri said even small increases in utility prices could affect poorer residents. “Household energy is not a luxury. What we’re looking at here is a tax increase,” Spencer said. Greitens dismissed those concerns while speaking to reporters Tuesday. Read more here. ...

MOLEG Special Session:

MO lawmakers convene in special session starting today... at the expense of electric utility ratepayers. Read more here.   ...

A Special Session Just for Ameren

Want a major shift in electrical costs from its biggest users to much smaller, and powerless consumers? That's what #MOLEG is doing in the special session they've called. Tell your representative to VOTE NO. They are up against a powerful utility lobby with only a handful of us on the other side. Consumer   http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/columns/tony-messenger/messenger-greitens-calls-out-career-politicians-takes-one-to-know/article_9ca10d8b-84b4-5407-826 ...

Special Session for Higher Utility Rates?

Under the governor’s leadership, the state of Missouri is gearing up to spend tens of thousands of dollars a day to hold special session. The main goal appears to tax households to subsidize big corporations. Read more here. ...

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