Thursday, December 7, 2006
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Calls for Answers on Extended Power Outages
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt is calling for answers on extended power outages following the second major power loss in the St. Louis area in less than six months. Blunt has called on the Public Service Commission (PSC) to hold public hearings regarding the massive power outages in the St. Louis area and on Ameren to provide a clear plan for preventing a reoccurrence.
“Thousands of Missourians have been without power for nearly a week. This is unacceptable,” Blunt said. “Missourians expect and should receive reliable service from their utility companies.”
In addition to costs incurred by businesses and families who are forced to go without power, the outages have twice contributed to the need for Blunt to call a state of emergency and activate the Missouri National Guard. State costs to respond to recent outages have climbed well into the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The governor suggests that the PSC consider delaying the upcoming Ameren rate cases until after the company has presented a detailed report on recent power outages and how they plan to avoid what is becoming an expensive, inconvenient and dangerous trend.
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