MGE files for $34 million rate increase

Missouri Gas Energy (MGE), an operating unit of Laclede Gas Company, has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) seeking to increase its rates for distributing natural gas by $34 million annually, exclusive of amounts currently being recovered through its Infrastructure System Enhancement Surcharge (ISRS) of approximately $16.4 million. MGE estimates this would result in an increase of $5.09 monthly for a typical residential customer.

This typical customer impact is based upon an average gas usage of 64 ccf per month. Your monthly gas usage can be found on your bill.

Your comments regarding MGE’s request, including comments on how rates will be collected or any other issue regarding MGE’s service, may be made in person during one of the three public hearings listed below or mayabe submitted by mail, email, hone or through the PSC’s website.

Public comment hearings have been set before the PSC as follows:

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6 p.m. Missouri Southern State University Mills-Anderson Justice Center, 3950 E. Newman Rd. Joplin, MO 64801.

Thursday, Sept. 21, 12 p.m. Mid Continent Public Library North Independence Branch Community 1 and 2, 317 W. 24 Hwy., Independence, MO 64050.

Thursday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. City of St. Joseph, Missouri Council Chambers-Room 301, 1100 Frederick Ave. St. Joseph, MO 64501.

Wednesday, Oct. 11, 6 p.m. Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Heritage Center Auditorium, 3700 Blue Parkway, Kansas City, MO 64130.

Thursday, Oct. 12, 12 p.m. Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch Cohen Center, 4801 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64112.

Thursday, Oct. 12, 6 p.m. Gladstone Community Center Gladstone/Linden Room, 6901 N. Holmes St., Gladstone, MO 64118.

If you are unable to attend a live public hearing and wish to make written comments or secure additional information, you may contact the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, MO 65102, telephone (800) 392-4211, email pscinfo@psc.mo.gov; or the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, MO 65102, telephone (866)922-2959, email opscervice@ded.mo.gov. Comments may be registered in the case using the Commission’s electronic filing system at https://www.efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/Comments.html. If submitting comments electronically, please reference Case No. GR-2017-0216.

The Commission will conduct an evidentiary hearing at its offices in Jefferson City from Dec. 4-8, 2017, and Dec. 11-15, 2017, beginning at 9 a.m. on the first day. The hearings and local public hearings will be held in buildings that meet accessibility standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act. If a customer needs additional accommodations to participate in the hearings, please call the PSC’s Hotline at (800) 392-4211 (voice) or Relay Missouri at 711 before the hearing.