PSC OKs gas-rate cuts for winter

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved another round of winter natural gas rate reductions.

One day after approving reduced rates for more than 500,000 natural gas customers across the state, the PSC announced reduced rates for about 88,000 customers of AmerenUE in 20 counties.

The rate reductions, effective today, will lower an average residential customer's bill by about $38 through March, the end of the winter season.

The counties that will see the lower rates are Audrain, Ralls, Boone, Cole, Callaway, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau, Saline, Miller, Montgomery, Morgan, Lincoln, Pike, Randolph, St. Charles and Warren.

Meanwhile, the PSC also reduced rates for 2,000 AmerenUE customers in the Ozark District including the counties of Butler, Bollinger and Stoddard. Those rates will drop about $67 through March.

On Tuesday, the PSC approved lower winter rates for more than 492,000 customers of Missouri Gas Energy, more than 47,000 natural gas customers of Atmos Energy Corp. and almost 15,000 customers of United Cities Gas Co.

About 60 percent to 70 percent of a customer's natural gas bill reflects the cost of natural gas from wholesale suppliers.

The PSC approves retail natural gas rates but has no authority over the wholesale costs. The agency also has the authority to ensure that natural gas companies make good decisions in securing supplies.