JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Public Service Commission got down to business approving five orders and directed 18 proposed rules, rescissions, and amendments be filed for publication.
The five commissioners — two in person and three through conference call — discussed and voted on the agenda items in 20 minutes before moving the November 7, 2018, meeting into closed session.
Two agenda items were proposed tariff sheets for Spire Missouri, Inc. — Spire West and Spire West — as a result of the annual purchased gas adjustment. The commission unanimously approved both of the orders.
Under the filing, Spire West residential customers will see natural gas rates decrease by about $0.04 per hundred cubic feet of natural gas, from about $0.52 per ccf to about $0.48 per ccf. Spire East residential customers will see natural gas rates decrease by less than $0.01 per therm.
Both changes take effect on November 15, 2018.
Stated in the filings is that compared to current rates and assuming normal usage, the changes would decrease the average monthly natural gas bill for a typical residential Spire West customer over the upcoming winter by approximately $4.00 a month. The typical residential Spire East customer’s average natural gas bill may decrease over the upcoming winter by approximately $0.43 a month.
Mid-States Services, LLC sought approval for designation as an eligible telecommunications carrier. The order was given unanimous approval.
The PSC also approved an agreement reached by parties in a steam rate case filed by Veolia Energy Kansas City, Inc. which authorizes an increase in annual steam operating revenues of approximately $463,600 (6.8 percent) effective December 1, 2018.
“Based on the Commission’s independent review of the unopposed Agreement, the Commission finds that the Agreement is consistent with the public interest and provides Veolia with a cash flow sufficient for it to provide safe and adequate service,” said the commission.
The commission also approved an order approving Spire Missouri’s motion for summary determination in the complaint filed by Locustwood Associates.
The PSC found that Spire has not committed a violation subject to the Commission’s authority as there is no provision of law, rule, tariff, or order requiring them to notify the landlord when service is disconnected for nonpayment of a tenant.
The PSC also ordered 18 proposed rules, rescissions, and amendments be filed for publication. The changes to the rules including revision out-of-date guidelines and refining the process as directed by an executive order under the previous administration. The proposed changes can be found here.
Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to the proposed rules with the PSC. To be considered, comments must be received at the commission’s offices on or before January 17, 2019. Comments may also be submitted online .
A public hearing is scheduled for January 28, 2019 at 10:00 a.m., in Room 310 of the Governor Office Building, 200 Madison St., Jefferson City, Missouri. Interested persons may appear at this hearing to submit additional comments and/or testimony in support of or in opposition to this proposed rule, and may be asked to respond to commission questions.
Alisha Shurr was a reporter for The Missouri Times and The Missouri Times Magazine. She joined The Missouri Times in January 2018 after working as a copy editor for her hometown newspaper in Southern Oregon. Alisha is a graduate of Kansas State University.
