The Public Service Commission is starting a study of how higher utility rates affect low-income Missourians and whether it can establish a special rate category for them..
The idea began to germinate some time ago as the commission went through public hearings on proposed rate increases. Commisioner Robert Kenney says nobody wants their rates to increase, especially low-income Missourians and those on fixed incomes.
The commission will start taking ideas on September 17th from consumers, industrial utility groups, utilities, advocacy groups such as the AARP, the Office of Public Counsel and others about whether it should establish a special category of rates for low-income citizens.
Kenney says the PSC already has different categories for rate payers–residential, industrial, and business.
Kenney says the commisison also is looking at other ways to mitigate the impact of higher rates on low-income Missourians. He says some states already have the low-income rate category and the commission wants to explore those different approaches, too.
The Public Service Commission is starting a study of how higher utility rates affect low-income Missourians and whether it can establish a special rate category for them..Â
The idea began to germinate some time ago as the commission went through public hearings on proposed rate increases. Commissioner Robert Kenney says nobody wants their rates to increase, especially low-income Missourians and those on fixed incomes.Â
The commission will start taking ideas on September 17th from consumers, industrial utility groups, utilities, advocacy groups such as the AARP, the Office of Public Counsel and others about whether it should establish a special category of rates for low-income citizens.
Kenney says the PSC already has different categories for rate payers–residential, industrial, and business.
Kenney says the commission also is looking at other ways to mitigate the impact of higher rates on low-income Missourians. He says some states already have the low-income rate category and the commission wants to explore those different approaches, too.
AUDIO: Kenney interview 9:03　
