PSC reconsiders Spire case after Supreme Court remand

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — After the Missouri Supreme Court remanded part of Spire Missouri’s previous rate increase, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is moving forward with the issue as part of the company’s latest request.

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Spire has requested a rate increase! Register today for a virtual public hearing to make public comments on how it would impact you

The Spire natural gas utility is requesting an annual rate increase of over $100 million for the delivery of gas to its customers.

Consumers Council believes that this request is too high, and doesn’t take into account the economic impact suffered by most consumers due to the recent pandemic.

Spire is asking that consumers pay a fixed fee of $20.00 each month for its Eastern Missouri territory, and $22.00 more for Western Missouri consumers. This fee would be unavoidable by conservation must be paid each month before any natural gas is used in your home.

Consumers Council believes that higher fixed rate charges hurt those most energy burdened, and low use customers, including many elderly customers.

A higher fixed rate also reduces consumer’s ability to control their utility bills by using less.

Consumers Council and Legal Aid of Eastern Missouri have requested that Spire implement more effective assistance programs for vulnerable customers and a more user-friendly registry for customers with medical issues. Their current registry system only registers a fraction of those with medical needs.

Media Reminder: PSC Local Public Hearings in Spire Rate Case Start on June 21

Public Hearing Schedule

 Join from a computer or phone using this link: https://psc.mo.gov/ or dial the toll-free 1-855-718-6621 to join the hearing on the day and enter the information below for the hearing you attend. Registration is encouraged. Email pscinfo@psc.mo.gov or call 1-800-392-4211 by 5:00 pm CST on the day before the hearing.

June 21

  • City of St. Louis
  • 6:00 pm CST
  • Access Code: 133 190 7597
  • Password: 0108

June 22

  • St. Louis County
  • 6:00 pm CST
  • Access Code: 133 974 3371
  • Password: 0108

June 23

  • All
  • 12:00 pm CST
  • Access Code: 133 223 2486
  • Password: 0108

June 23

  • Kansas City
  • 6:00 pm CST
  • Access Code: 133 211 3732
  • Password: 0108

June 24

  • St. Joseph
  • 6:00 pm CST
  • Access Code: 133 238 8420
  • Password: 0108

June 25

  • Joplin
  • 6:00 pm CST
  • Access Code: 133 956 1939
  • Password: 0108

 

Schedule with Talking Points

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Missouri panel rejects moratorium on utility shutoffs during pandemic

EFFERSON CITY — The state Public Service Commission has rejected an effort to prevent utility companies from disconnecting residential services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission said in a statement Wednesday.

The Consumers Council of Missouri, which advocates on behalf of consumer interests, had requested an emergency order for a moratorium on disconnections through at least March 31.

But the commission determined it didn’t have the authority to grant the council’s request, according to the statement.

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Consumer groups seek Missouri utility shut off moratorium

A coalition of consumer and health care advocates are asking the Missouri Public Service Commission to impose a moratorium on utility cutoffs for the winter to help control the spread of COVID-19. The Consumers Council of Missouri, with support from the Missouri Hospital Association, Empower Missouri and the National Housing Trust, filed the request Tuesday … read more

Consumer groups seek Missouri utility shut off moratorium

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Citing Public Health Concerns in COVID-19 Pandemic, Organizations Call for Moratorium on Utility Disconnections

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO)…Citing the need to “protect the health and safety of the general public during the ever-worsening COVID-19 pandemic in Missouri, Consumers Council of Missouri filed a motion with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) on December 7 for an emergency order to create a winter utility disconnection moratorium. The motion was supported by a variety of community organizations that have been convened by Empower Missouri since late October as the Utility Disconnection Prevention Working Group.

Jackie Hutchinson, executive director of the Consumers Council of Missouri said, “The COVID-19 pandemic represents a major risk to health and safety during these winter months. The added strain of utility disconnections could increase stress on our health care system, through potential increases in transmission of coronavirus among families and communities.”

A very recent study at the Nicholas Institute at Duke University shows that eviction moratoria reduce the average growth rate of COVID-19 cases by 4.5%, and water and utility shutoff moratoria reduce the average growth rate by 2.6%.  “We have already seen how COVID-19 has disproportionately harmed communities with low incomes, Black Missourians, and other communities of color,” Hutchinson stated. “The moratorium we are requesting could reduce the threat of increased COVID-19 cases caused when families must leave their homes and move in with others due to utility disconnections.”

Jeanette Mott Oxford, director of policy and organizing for Empower Missouri, added, “Our working group explored a variety of options in an attempt to secure a winter moratorium, but, with cold weather upon us, filing for the emergency order appeared to be the only path that met the urgency of the moment. We believe that the laws of our state allow the Public Service Commission to step in with this type of action when the health and safety of the public are at risk as they so clearly are in this pandemic.”

The PSC has posted notice of the motion and shortened the time for responses. Action by the Public Service Commissioners is expected by December 16

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As temperature drops and virus cases climb, groups file for new Missouri utility disconnection moratorium

JEFFERSON CITY — Since testing positive for COVID-19 last week, Mary Boyd has been quarantining at home, unable to take any shifts at the Nature’s Bakery plant where she works near her home in Hazelwood. And that’s left her with a several-hundred dollar electric bill and a looming utility disconnection.

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