ST. LOUIS, MO (KPLR) -
"Do you realize that an 18 percent increase is kind of exhorbitant?" That was the general reaction of Ameren UE customers who spoke out at a public hearing Tuesday called by Missouri's Public Service Commission in its review of the utility's rate hike request.
A crowd of about fifty people attended the hearing at Harris Stowe State University. It is one of more than a dozen throughout the Ameren UE service area where PSC members will listen to public concerns regarding the utility's service record, expenditures and rate hike request.
Ameren UE President Warner Baxter said half of the rate increase request could cover rising fuel costs. "The other half relates to energy infrastructure investments we've already made that are already serving our customers."
Lawrence Bowen of University City relies on an electric wheel chair to get around. He pleaded with the PSC, "I'd like to tell you all this increase of 18 percent rate hike is unfair to senior citizens, and low income people and the disabled 'cause we have not got an increase in living cost for this year."
A volunteer with the Federation of Block Units, Kitty First-Beatty recommended limiting the increase to five percent. " Don't give it to them until 2012," she said. "They don't need itbefore then; they just received an increase and they need to be held accountable and be more efficient," she added.
During an informal question and answer session before the public hearing, Ameren UE executive Baxter explained the company was working to save money. "We are doing things on behalf of our customers to try to manage our energy costs as best we can," he said. Baxter pointed out the utility has identified approximately a billion dollars of cost reductions that managers expect to put in place over the next three to five years.
The utility will provide evidence to back up its request for the largest rate hike in recent history during hearings in Jefferson City March 15-19 and 22-26. Those will be broadcast over the internet via www.psc.mo.gov.
The PSC's staff has recommended an increase in utility revenues of 218.2 million dollars to 250.8 million per year instead of the 402 million dollar hike AmerenUE is requesting.
Anyone with comments may attend future public hearings in the St. Louis area. Go to the Public Service Commission's web site at www.psc.mo.gov for a list of hearing locations or send your written comments by mail to : Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0360. Electronic versions should be emailed to pscinfo@psc.mo.gov. You should refer to the case number: ER-2010-0036. The PSC has a toll free hotline at 1-800-392-4211.
The Office of Public Counsel which represents the public's interest during rate hearingss can be contacted at P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or opcservice@ded.mo.gov or toll free at 1-866-922-2959.
One of the most vocal opponents to the rate hike is a group calling itself Fair Electricity Rate Action Fund at 222.fairelectricityrates.org.
A crowd of about fifty people attended the hearing at Harris Stowe State University. It is one of more than a dozen throughout the Ameren UE service area where PSC members will listen to public concerns regarding the utility's service record, expenditures and rate hike request.
Ameren UE President Warner Baxter said half of the rate increase request could cover rising fuel costs. "The other half relates to energy infrastructure investments we've already made that are already serving our customers."
Lawrence Bowen of University City relies on an electric wheel chair to get around. He pleaded with the PSC, "I'd like to tell you all this increase of 18 percent rate hike is unfair to senior citizens, and low income people and the disabled 'cause we have not got an increase in living cost for this year."
A volunteer with the Federation of Block Units, Kitty First-Beatty recommended limiting the increase to five percent. " Don't give it to them until 2012," she said. "They don't need itbefore then; they just received an increase and they need to be held accountable and be more efficient," she added.
During an informal question and answer session before the public hearing, Ameren UE executive Baxter explained the company was working to save money. "We are doing things on behalf of our customers to try to manage our energy costs as best we can," he said. Baxter pointed out the utility has identified approximately a billion dollars of cost reductions that managers expect to put in place over the next three to five years.
The utility will provide evidence to back up its request for the largest rate hike in recent history during hearings in Jefferson City March 15-19 and 22-26. Those will be broadcast over the internet via www.psc.mo.gov.
The PSC's staff has recommended an increase in utility revenues of 218.2 million dollars to 250.8 million per year instead of the 402 million dollar hike AmerenUE is requesting.
Anyone with comments may attend future public hearings in the St. Louis area. Go to the Public Service Commission's web site at www.psc.mo.gov for a list of hearing locations or send your written comments by mail to : Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0360. Electronic versions should be emailed to pscinfo@psc.mo.gov. You should refer to the case number: ER-2010-0036. The PSC has a toll free hotline at 1-800-392-4211.
The Office of Public Counsel which represents the public's interest during rate hearingss can be contacted at P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, MO 65102 or opcservice@ded.mo.gov or toll free at 1-866-922-2959.
One of the most vocal opponents to the rate hike is a group calling itself Fair Electricity Rate Action Fund at 222.fairelectricityrates.org.
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