<img src=" http://www.joplinglobeonline.com/images/zope/updated.gif" border=0 > Advocates want public input on Empire rate request

City wants to buy weather radios for those without

Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.

Local News

Discussion

November 9, 2009

Anonymous The Joplin Globe Mon Nov 09, 2009, 08:15 AM CST

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — Consumer advocates say the public should be ready to express its opposition to Empire District Electric Co.’s proposed rate hike for Kansas customers.

Last Wednesday, Empire announced it is seeking a seeking a nearly 25 percent increase in annual revenues, or $5.2 million. It’s the utility’s first rate increase request since 2005.

The Joplin-based utility has more than 10,000 customers in Baxter Springs, Columbus, Galena, Riverton and surrounding areas.

Empire spokeswoman Amy Bass says a Kansas residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity would see rates increase 27 percent, or $25.09 per month.

David Springe, consumer counsel for the Citizens’ Utility Ratepayer Board, says the public should be aware when a hearing on the request is scheduled and turn out in force.

The Kansas Corporation Commission isn’t expected to act on the increase before next summer.

Text Only

Local News

City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Cold air headed this way
The Arctic front that passed over Missouri this morning will bring dangerously cold temperatures to the region tonight and Saturday.

February 10, 2012
Miami, Okla., man dies along I-44
A 27-year-old Miami, Okla., who appeared to be walking along I-44 in an attempt to get help after wrecking his car, is dead after being hit by a pickup truck.

February 10, 2012
Mo. presidential primary sets low mark in turnout
Just 8 percent of Missouri’s registered voters cast ballots in this week’s presidential primary.

February 10, 2012
Okla. court upholds man’s life sentence in deaths
An Oklahoma appeals court has upheld the life in prison sentences of a man convicted of two counts of first-degree murder for the shotgun slayings of two men at a Sperry residence.

February 10, 2012
Architects present preliminary JHS plans at community meeting
Reaction appeared mostly supportive Thursday night among the roughly 50 people who attended a community meeting at which architects presented their preliminary site plans for the future combined Joplin High School and Franklin Technology Center.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
Rickey Smith testified Thursday that as he came in the back door of Ryan Bailey’s home in Pittsburg with a 9 mm pistol in his hand, Bailey looked up from the couch in his living room.

February 9, 2012
School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
Plans to close some streets near the proposed Joplin High School drew questions, including a challenge from a former Joplin mayor, during a public hearing this week.

February 9, 2012
Mike Pound: Spirit of competition evident during double-overtime game
When I played basketball in high school, I played in several very close games.
Now, some people who may have known me in high school are probably laughing right now and saying, “What Mike meant to say is that when he was in high school, he came very close to playing in some games.”

February 9, 2012
Neosho council approves new golf cart contract
The purchase of golf carts was back on the agenda this week for the Neosho City Council. City Attorney Steve Hays said there were errors in the financing terms that were part of a bid approved last month for the purchase of 55 gas-powered carts from E-Z-Go for $144,195, so the purchase of a new fleet was rebid.

February 9, 2012
More Local News Headlines