Mo. Public Service Commission talks big Liberty Utilities increase
Regina Payne, of Aurora, speaks during the testimony portion of the Liberty Utilities rate increase hearing. In her testimony, Payne said that her rate increase, because she uses less electricity, would amount to 40 percent over what she currently pays, which she described as "unreasonable.”
The Missouri Public Service Commission held two hearings at the Aurora Recreation Center on Thursday, July 24, one at noon and the other at 6 p.m., to get feedback for a proposed rate increase by Liberty Utilities for electricity. Each meeting consisted of two parts: A question-and-answer session, after which Liberty Customers were invited to give testimony on how the proposed rate increase would impact them. Meetings were also held in Bolivar, Nixa, Joplin, and virtually. Liberty Utilities is requesting an increase to its base rates for electricity. If approved, the rate would, according to Liberty, increase the average customer's (one who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours per month) electricity rate by $48.68 per month, or 32.94 percent in summer months (June through September), and by $46.78, or 33.84 percent, in winter months (October through May). The proposed rate increase would generate an additional $152 million per year in revenue for Liberty, which they would say would go towards paying for $702 million in work done to improve their ability to meet demand.
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Lawrence County Record
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Mt. Vernon, MO, 65712
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