Consumers Council of Missouri works hard to reduce what communities that have long been the target of structural oppression spend on basic energy. Losing utility service, or cutting back on service to reduce utility bills, is not only dangerous to health and safety but may also affect whether a family can continue to reside in their home. Through advocacy and community engagement, we focus on keeping utility costs affordable by challenging rate increases and working to maintain and expand customer assistance programs.
Consumers Council is an intervenor in Liberty Electric’s request for a 29.64% rate increase in southwest Missouri. With 37,000 out of 114,000 households identified as having a high energy burden, the need for targeted assistance is urgent.
The Missouri Public Service Commission will hold public hearings offering a critical opportunity for residents to speak out about the affordability of Spire gas bills. If you live in Spire’s service area, we strongly urge you to attend and share your story.
A substantial percentage of the total population of St. Louis is living in Census Tracts with unaffordable bills. These Census Tracts include households with characteristics that increase their risk when water and sewer bills are too high.
In July 2024, Ameren Missouri asked the Missouri PSC for an annual revenue increase of $446.2 million, and proposed increasing the residential fixed monthly charge approximately 15.9%. Consumers Council of Missouri successfully intervened in this case, but with mixed results.
On March 5, 2025, the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) ordered Spire to respond to allegations from customers regarding improper account disconnections without prior notice, lack of awareness regarding account ownership, and delays in reconnections after arrears were paid.
Media Advisory – For Immediate Release – April 8, 2025 What: Rally Against Higher Utility Bills Who: Tracy McCreery (D-St. Louis County) Joe Nicola (R-Independence) Sandra Padgett, Executive Director, Consumers Council of MO Gretchen Waddell Barwick – Missouri Chapter Director, Sierra Club Webster Davis – NAACP, Missouri Conference Jay Hardenbrook – AARP Jeanette Mott Oxford – emcee Where: Capitol Building, 201 W. Capitol, Jefferson City, MO 65101Sidewalk,...
Yesterday, the federal government terminated the entire staff of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, according to Mark Wolfe, executive director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
