Empire District seeks to sell portion of Monett service

Empire District Electric Co. has filed an application to sell and transfer some of its system to the city of Monett, according to the Missouri Public Service Commission.

The Joplin-based utility is asking the commission to let Empire District divest part of its system, affecting the Valley View Estates subdivision and the Heim Trailer Court. Those areas were annexed by Monett in 2003 and 2005, respectively, according to a commission news release.

Empire District currently provides electric service to 42 residential customers, five private outdoor lighting accounts and one commercial structure in the Valley View Estates area. It services 46 residential customers and one vacant commercial structure in the Heim Trailer Court area. Those customers would receive electric service from the city if the sale is approved.

Applications to intervene and participate in the case must be filed by Nov. 18 with the commission secretary at PO Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Copies of an application should be sent to Paul A. Boudreau at Brydon, Swearengen & England PC, 312 E. Capitol Ave., PO Box 456, Jefferson City, MO 65102; Bill Eichman at Empire District, 602 Joplin St., Joplin, MO 64801; Amy Boxx, 405 E. Broadway, Monett, MO 65708; Pete Rauch, superintendent of utilities for the city of Monett, 217 Fifth St., PO Box 110, Monett, MO 65708; and the Office of the Public Counsel, PO Box 2230, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

Individual citizens wishing to comment on the case should contact the Office of the Public Counsel or the Public Service Commission staff.