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PSC approves Empire rate case agreement

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Public Service Commission approved an agreement reached in the Empire District Electric Company rate case that will see consumers rates increase by about $7.60 a month.

The rate case authorizes Empire to increase annual electric operating revenues by about $20.4 million beginning Sept. 14.

The primary reason for the rate increase was Empire’s conversion of it’s Riverton Unit 12 natural gas combustion turbine to a combined cycle operation. Construction on the $168 million conversion began in 2013 and it came online in May.

“We are pleased all parties were able to come to a unanimous agreement in this case. We are proud of the work completed at our Riverton Power Plant which will ensure we are able to continue to deliver safe, reliable and environmentally responsible energy for our customers well into the future,” said Brad Beecher, president and CEO of Empire, in June when the agreement was entered with the PSC.

Since the agreement was entered, only one change was made. The commission authorized Empire to implement a residential low-income pilot program.

That program would provide a 100 percent discount on the customer charge of $13 a month for low-income customers. Eligibility will be determined based on qualifications for Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

The pilot program will continue until Empire’s next rate case.

The agreement also allows Empire continuation of the Fuel Adjustment Clause. Under the clause, Empire can adjust customer bills twice a year to reflect changes in fuel and purchased power costs.

The Joplin-based company serves about 150,300 electric customers in Barry, Barton, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Lawrence, McDonald, Newton, Polk, St. Clair, Stone and Taney counties.