Recently a letter to the editor appeared in The Joplin Globe titled “Anybody agree?” by Pete Peterson. Peterson’s letter cited the fact that the Empire District Electric Company is formally requesting rate increases of 20 percent in Missouri and 25 percent in Kansas, even though Empire had sufficient economic resources to pay dividends to its stockholders in 2009.
In his article, Pete Peterson asked the questions, “Does it feel like we are being held hostage by the utility companies? Anybody agree?” Yes, Pete, I agree absolutely.
According to an article titled “Where Is the Ceiling?” that appeared in The Joplin Globe on June 28, 2006, Empire Electric requested and received rate raises (being duly authorized by the Public Service Commission) in the years 2000, 2002 and 2004. Empire was also awarded a rate increase by the Public Service Commission in the year 2006. If Empire receives another rate hike this year, then this will amount to five rate increases in a 10-year period.
With all due respect to the Public Service Commission, heretofore they have not proven to be a completely effective, protective agency that safeguards the citizenry from the ravages of corporate greed. The Public Service Commission should tell Empire electric, in no uncertain terms, that receiving five rate increases in a decade is unwarranted and unacceptable.
Empire Electric charges $11.04 per month just to use their services. Missouri Gas Energy charges a little under $25 per month for the same reason. This is tantamount to stores or businesses tacking on a storage-usage fee to your bill when you buy something.
Utility customers are under siege because utility companies are monopolies. Monopolies, in necessities, indicates that our once unique free enterprise economy has been partially co-opted. No choice, no freedom.
James Bruce
Joplin
