Commission approves four orders, including new docket regarding tax cuts
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Four items appeared before the Missouri Public Service Commission in this week’s agenda meeting, ranging from new working cases, amended orders and the transition of assets.
The first item presented before the commission on Wednesday concerned an order regarding a working case in the matter of effects the new tax cuts will have on small water and sewer utilities in Missouri.
The commission signed off on an order opening a new docket and putting forward four questions to the utilities in question.
- For purposes payment of income taxes, is your company:
(a) a C Corporation, (b) a Subchapter S Corporation, (c) a Limited Liability Corporation, (d) a partnership, or (e) other? - If you know, does your company currently collect income tax expense in customer rates? If so, how much?
- Have you or your financial advisors or consultants performed any analysis of the likely impact of the TCJA on your cost of service and customer rates? If so, please provide such analysis.
- Generally speaking, when do you expect your company to seek a change in customer rates from the Commission?
It was approved 5-0.
The second order of the day was the approval of the amended order regarding Spire’s rate case, providing clarification in the matter of trackers.
The third item approved was in the matter of Indian Hill’s rate case, with a motion pending to approve compliance tariffs and set an effective date quicker than usual. With the no opposition and the commission’s approval, the effective date would be March 17.
The final order to be approved by the commission was a joint application by Missouri American Water and Spokane approving the acquisition of assets by MAWC. Under the order, the company would acquire 49 single family residential customers, with some conditions placed upon the acquisition by the PSC staff. Chairman Daniel Hall noted that, at least in the interim, the water bill costs for customers would decrease.
The PSC also approved moving forward with two proposed rules regarding incentives for acquisition of nonviable utilities and environmental improvement contingency fund, which Hall said were “both designed to address financial, managerial and environmental issues with small water and sewer companies.”
Benjamin Peters was a reporter for The Missouri Times and Missouri Times Magazine and also produced the #MoLeg Podcast. He joined The Missouri Times in 2016 after working as a sports editor and TV news producer in mid-Missouri. Benjamin is a graduate of Missouri State University in Springfield.
