UE'S RATE DEAL

Union Electric also has been in the news recently because of a new rate plan it is seeking.

The plan includes a $30 million one-time credit to be shared by the utility company's 1 million Missouri customers plus a $30 million-a-year rate reduction.

What's the catch? UE wants the Missouri Public Service Commission to give up some of its regulatory control of the company, which the company says would allow it to operate more efficiently.

Government deregulation usually tends to be a step in the right direction, although utility customers in particular expect and deserve the best protection a watchdog agency like the PSC can provide. Even the state public counsel, whose job is to represent rate-payers before the PSC, agrees that UE's plan would save the time and expense of a protracted rate battle.

Utility customers will welcome any relief in rates, as long as the PSC can assure them that there won't be hidden costs or other negative consequences of the rate plan.