Friday, Jan.13, 2006
Contact: Spence Jackson, 573-751-0290
Blunt, Lawmakers Ask PSC to Clarify Utility Law Enacted Last Year
Governor Supports Similar Legislative Efforts
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt sent a letter to Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman Jeff Davis along with Sen. John Griesheimer and Rep. Rex Rector asking him to clarify through the rules process a new law enacted last year to ensure that Missouri consumers have access to reliable, low-cost energy.
The new law, originally proposed as Senate Bill 179 during the last legislative session was enacted with broad bipartisan support and only seven dissenting votes. The Missouri AFL-CIO lent its support to the measure saying that it would bring consumers "additional safeguards and regulatory scrutiny, strengthening consumer protections while establishing a foundation for even more reliable delivery of electricity and natural gas and for improving water systems." (Quote from AFL-CIO Chairman Hugh McVey from July 14, 2005 AFL-CIO news release).
Critics have claimed that the new law allows natural gas companies to raise rates to compensate for energy conservation efforts that consumers may undertake. Blunt, Griesheimer and Rector dismiss this notion but have asked Davis to work through rulemaking or other administrative proceedings to ensure it complies with the clear legislative intent to encourage consumer conservation efforts.
Additionally, Blunt is supporting legislative efforts by Greisheimer and Rector to make similar corrections to the law.
"I have long been an advocate of responsible energy conservation and the actions the General Assembly and I took in enacting Senate Bill 179 reinforce this long held belief," Blunt said. "I was pleased with the overwhelming support this new law received from both political parties and the labor and business communities and look forward to quick corrective actions by the PSC and the General Assembly to ensure that the intent of this good law is crystal clear."
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