Commission takes input for Empire case

Empire Feb. 1 filed the case with the Missouri Public Service Commission, seeking to increase its annual electric revenues by about $29.5 million.

For a residential customer that uses 1,000 kilowatts per month, the increase would add about $11.11 to monthly bills. Empire spokesperson Amy Bass said commercial customers generally use fewer kilowatts than residential customers and therefore would experience a lower rate increase.

Those who wish to intervene in the case must file an application – a written statement of reasons for one’s interest in the case – by Feb. 27 with the secretary of the commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, MO, 65102.

The commission has scheduled hearings for the case Sept. 5–8 and Sept. 11–15. They will be held in Room 310 of the Governor Office Building in Jefferson City.

Empire, an investor-owned utility based in Joplin, cited higher fuel and purchase power costs as reasons for the rate proposal.

Shares of Empire stock (NYSE: EDE) closed Feb. 22 at $22.99, compared to a 52-week range of $19.25 to $25.01.