Category: Utilities

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 21, 2012 Ameren Missouri says legislation to undo 1970s-era consumer protections to help facilitate a new nuclear plant isn’t on its wish list this spring. But don’t think the utility and its lobbyists arrived in Jefferson City without an agenda. Warner L. Baxter, Ameren Missouri’s chief executive, sees an opportunity — and a need — to ramp up infrastructure spending. And, he said, the utility is looking for policies that encourage ...

St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 13, 2012 The new year will bring higher electric rates for 1.2 million Ameren Missouri customers. The Missouri Public Service Commission voted 3-1 Wednesday to approve a 10 percent, $260.2 million rate increase for the St. Louis-based utility, making it that much more expensive for consumers to run their air conditioners, watch television and wash clothes. The increase is expected to take effect Jan. 2. On average, electric bills f ...

Along with a $260 million rate increase, Ameren Missouri will be allowed to continue to charge customers for the rising costs of transmission projects still under construction. Currently, the costs are about $26 million but are expected to rise 24 percent each year. On Wednesday, the Missouri Public Service Commission approved a $260 million rate increase for Ameren, about two-thirds of what the company had sought. The hike goes into effect Jan. 2. Ameren officials we ...

This new surcharge follows historic rate increases which between 2006 and the end of 2013 will cost Ameren customers $2.8 billion due to fuel surcharges passed by the legislature and rate hikes approved by the Public Service Commission. To read this bill, go to www.house.mo.gov/billcentral.aspx. FERAF, of which Consumers Council is a founding member, has also announced its opposition to SB207. Consumer Group Will Fight Proposed New Surcharge on Missourians’ Electric Bills Jeff ...

Since 2007 consumers have paid Ameren Missouri a cumulative total of more than $2.8 billion in higher rates and fuel surcharges. That means the average family is paying $400 more a year for electricity. Now Ameren and the other electric companies are asking Missouri lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 207 to give them yet another surcharge. Ameren's income will go up at least $350 million, and the average family will be paying $125 more. Click on Take Action > Action Alerts to f ...

Consumers Counsel of Missouri filed papers Monday, January 14, 2013, to participate in the process in which Laclede Gas Co. is asking to increase the rates it charges customers.  The company is asking for an increase of $48.4 million a year, which will cost the average residential customer $4.93 a month.  The case takes place before the Public Service Commission. As the case proceeds CCM will be asking the public to participate through testimony at public hearings and letters to ...

St. Louis Beacon, January 16, 2013 The head of the Missouri Public Service Commission will depart from his post later this spring, a move that will cause another vacancy for the powerful agency that regulates the state’s utilities. Kevin Gunn, a Webster Groves native, told the Beacon on Wednesday he will leave the PSC on or around March 1. Among other things, the commission is responsible for deciding utility cases as well as crafting and enforcing various administrative rules. ...

St. Louis Beacon, December 11, 2012 Even though Missouri law bars utilities from charging their customers for construction projects that haven't produced any power, Ameren Missouri has tacked $10 million onto Missouri customers' bills for power lines that it hasn't even started to build yet. The utility estimates that this cost will increase to $53 million by 2016. The Public Service Commission staff and Office of Public Counsel, which represents the ratepayer in these hea ...