JEFFERSON CITY — Right now, in the Missouri House of Representatives, Senate Bill 564 is awaiting a final vote that may come at any time. This bill, if passed, will be a gigantic money maker for Ameren, Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) and Empire Electric for many years to come, at the expense of customers all across the state. Many of these ratepayers are already struggling to pay their electric bills and keep their lights and air-conditioners running.
The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) was established in 1913 — to ensure that Missourians receive safe and reliable utility services at just, reasonable and affordable rates from investor-owned monopoly utility companies.
For the past six years that I have been in the Senate there has been a tremendous effort by monopoly “investor-owned” utility companies to legislatively change, and to circumvent the oversight of the PSC regarding their operations and profitability. The PSC is the only consumer protection that Missourians can rely on.
There have been many acronyms used over the years headlining the utilities desired legislation: 10 percent surcharges, CWIP, ISRS, SMR, grid modernization, etc. — all catchy phrases. Luckily, a few other Senators and I have managed to thwart off these challenges in years past.
Please contact your elected officials today and explain how this bill will hurt your family, business, church and school. After all, electric users have no choice from whom to purchase their electric.
I and others have contended all along – “this it is not about the grid” – “it is about the greed”.