Both Empire District Electric and Missouri American Water are applying for rate increases locally to the Missouri Public Commission. Public outcry against such increases is being heard in various public forums. As always there are two sides to the story that deserve attention.
First and undoubtedly, there are people living “on the edge” financially that will be hard- pressed to absorb any rate increases for such services. Something, probably something important, will be given up to accommodate the extra money spent on utilities.
Second, any public utility must be able to earn a reasonable profit to sustain the growth in consumption of its product demanded by all customers. With no profit, investment and thus expansion of production and compliance with new environmental requirements go away. The result could be blackouts, low water pressure in emergencies and/or legal fines and penalties for environmental violations.
The utilities must make a clear and convincing case that rate increases are limited to that required to sustain reasonable profits for future investment. The job of the PSC is to ensure that any rate requests meet that mandate. Let’s assume for a moment that BOTH do their jobs well in requesting and approving such increases.
If that is the case and rates inevitably go up, what should all residents do about it?
The answer to us at that point is simple conservation. Consumers must learn to reduce their individual demand for energy and water.
Do we have the money for a big screen monster or can we afford a TV in all bedrooms and the kitchen? Seldom do we ask the cost of electricity to operate all of those TVs and in fact leave a lot of them on simultaneously with no one watching.
Small potatoes for sure when electrical costs are low, but it can make a difference when they go much higher. Where we set the thermostat in summer and winter also can matter, a lot. There are many more examples to be considered.
The currently requested increases are a drop in the bucket compared with what is looming on the horizon. If cap and trade is implemented, new environmental requirements are put in place or foreign supplies diminish, future rate increases will be huge.
We should all develop better energy consumption habits before those events occur rather than have the market do it for us.
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In our view: Utilities and rates
- Local & State News
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City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Keith Stammer, Joplin-Jasper County emergency management director, on Thursday checks out the weather radio in his office at the Dr. Donald E. Clark Public Safety and Justice Center. The city is proposing supplying weather radios to all households in town that do not have one.
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.
Continued ... - Architects present preliminary JHS plans at community meeting
- Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
- School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
- Neosho council approves new golf cart contract
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- Sports
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Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
- District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
- Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
- Pitching holds key for softball Lions
- Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
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- Crime & Courts
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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.
- Two motorists hurt in traffic accidents on roads in area
- Lamar man faces charge of arson in house fire
- Authorities not sure whether gun had any role in death
- Judge overrules defense motions in infant death case
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Confessed shooter testifies against co-defendants in Pittsburg murder case
- Death Notices
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Harold King
Harold “Worry” King, 75, a retired travel clerk, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012.
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- Viola M. Dickson
- Bobby Blair
- Robert J. Link
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Harold King
- Opinion
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Our View: Are school loans next 'debt bomb'?
The late American middle class struggled for decades to keep pace with an American dream slipping from its grasp.
Continued ... - Our View: A better way of limit terms
- Your View: Is it our fault?
- Your View: No way to run a school
- Your View: Prime suspects
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Our View: Are school loans next 'debt bomb'?
- Business
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Stocks close higher after debt deal in Greece
The stock market finally got a deal from Greece, but it didn’t produce much of a rally.
Continued ... - Beef prices expected to climb for next 2 years
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Stocks close higher after debt deal in Greece
- Lifestyles
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Exercise may make a great antidepressant
Now a psychiatrist with the behavioral health division of Freeman Health Systems, Stewart is thrilled to see research done into how exercise can help cure moods.
- Sarah Coyne: Sick kids require different routines
- Parents' planner (Feb. 9-15)
- Wine producers campaign for truth in labeling
- Cheryle Finley: Love slow cooker for Valentine’s dinner
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- National News
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Leaving ’No Child’ law: Obama lets 10 states flee
It could be the beginning of the end for No Child Left Behind.
- Canadian family members rescued from Pacific ocean
- State Department cleared of conflict, not ineptness on Keystone pipeline
- House passes ethics bill after deleting one key section
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- Obituaries
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Gisela A. “Annie” Putman
Gisela A. “Annie” Putman, 78, of Joplin, departed this life Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, after a long illness at the National Healthcare of Joplin.
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- Betty E. Baldwin
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- Doris Elma McCleary
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Gisela A. “Annie” Putman






