HB 208, HCA 1 -- CONSUMER-OWNED ELECTRIC CORPORATIONS

CO-SPONSORS:  Engler, Jetton, Lipke (157), Mayer, Wagner

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Communications, Energy, and Technology by a vote of 19 to 0.

This bill prohibits the Public Service Commission from regulating
the rates and financing of consumer-owned electric corporations
that are required to operate on a not-for-profit cooperative
basis and, as of August 28, 2003, hold a certificate of public
convenience and necessity to serve a majority of their
consumer-owners in third classification counties.

HCA 1 -- Clarifies that the bill does not affect other regulatory
powers of the Public Service Commission.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that because of accidents of history,
Citizens Electric Corporation is the only member-owned,
not-for-profit electric utility with rates regulated both by a
member board and the Public Service Commission.  Dual regulation
increases costs that must be passed on to consumers.  This bill
will result in the corporation being regulated like all other
electric cooperatives.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Engler; Citizens
Electric Corporation; and Missouri Public Utility Alliance.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Terry Finger, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am