Letter to the Editor

Cap electric rates

There is legislation (Senate Bill 1028) moving through the general assembly that would cap electric rates -- I urge my elected officials to support that today!

Life is full of surprises, but those surprises shouldn't come when I open my electric bill. But Missouri's utility laws were put in place by our general assembly in 1913 and have not been updated in over 100 years. Due to that, electric rates today are subject to rate spikes and uncertainty. Also, if you look on your bill there are outside charges, called riders, that add hundreds of dollars to an average bill each year.

SB 1028 would do something never done before in Missouri -- cap our electric rates. This policy balances grid modernization for our local utility so they can arm the grid against cyber hackers and reduce power outages, with providing stability and predictability for all of their customers. With only weeks left in the legislative session I urge my senator and representative to support and pass this bill. It's time Missouri catches up with other states and caps electric rates!

JACKIE GRIFFITH, Cape Girardeau