SB 255 -- CONSUMER-OWNED ELECTRIC CORPORATIONS

SPONSOR:  Kinder (Engler)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Communications, Energy, and Technology by a vote of 21 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.

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.  The bill
will result in the corporation being regulated like all other
electric cooperatives.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Kinder.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Terry Finger, Senior Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:13 am