Kraus: Happy Thanksgiving!

Each year, this Thursday is set aside specifically to count our blessings and, in spite of tough economic times, to find and recognize those things in our life that are good.  I'm thankful for family and friends and for the opportunity to serve you.  I'm especially thankful for our men and women in the Armed Services who keep this country safe and free, many of whom are deployed and away from their families on this holiday.

Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

PSC to Hold Local Public Hearing In Raytown Water Company Rate Case

On Wednesday, December 1, the Missouri Public Service Commission will hold a local public hearing in Raytown in a water rate case filed by the Raytown Water Company.

The local public hearing will be held in the Raytown City Hall, City Council Chambers, 10000 East 59th Street. A PSC staff public information/question and answer session starts at 5:30 p.m. with the local public hearing and the taking of sworn testimony to follow.

On April 30, 2010, the Raytown Water Company filed a rate case with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking to increase annual water operating revenues by approximately $471,205.  Under an agreement reached between the company and the PSC staff, the current monthly water bill for a residential customer using 6,000 gallons of water would raise about $5 per month. The Commission is taking information to decide on this case

PSC to Hold Local Public Hearings In Lee's Summit and Kansas City on KCP&L Electric Rate Increases

The Missouri Public Service Commission added another local public hearing in Kansas City on December 2 in electric rate cases filed by Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L) and KCP&L-Greater Missouri Operations Company.

The local public hearing will be held at the Hillcrest Community Center, Meeting Room A, 10401 Hillcrest Road. A PSC staff public information/question and answer session starts at 5:30 p.m. with the local public hearing and the taking of sworn testimony to follow.

In our e-mail of October 28, we also provided notice of the following public hearings, as well as information, on KCP&L rate increases.

December 7, Kansas City. Two local public hearings will be held at the Cohen Conference Center of the Kansas City Public Library-Plaza Branch, 4801 Main Street.

For the first hearing, a PSC public information/question and answer session starts at 11:30 a.m. The local public hearing and the taking of sworn testimony will follow.

Beginning at the end of the first hearing and until 5:30 p.m., the Commission will have a listening post for the public. PSC staff members will be available to answer questions from the public.

A second local public hearing will start at 5:30 p.m. with a PSC public information/question and answer session. The local public hearing and the taking of sworn testimony will follow.

December 8, Lee's Summit. Lee's Summit North High School, Lecture Hall, 901 NE Douglas Street. A PSC staff public information/question and answer session starts at 5:30 p.m. with the local public hearing and the taking of sworn testimony to follow.

If you wish to comment or need further information, you may contact the Office of the Public Counsel, P.O. Box 2230, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-2230; telephone 1-866-922-2959; email opcservice{at}ded{dot}mo{dot}gov or the Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102; telephone 1-800-392-4211; email pscinfo{at}psc{dot}mo{dot}gov.

Metropolitan Energy Center Receives Funds For Energize Missouri Homes

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has announced the selection of six organizations for grant awards for the Energize Missouri Homes - Homeowner Upgrades and Geothermal Program. Metropolitan Energy Center, Kansas City, will receive a grant award of $1.75 million to provide services for a 48-county region encompassing much of the western and northern parts of the state.

Through the Energize Missouri Homes - Homeowner Upgrades and Geothermal Program, these six organizations will assist more than 1,200 Missouri homeowners with funding for energy audits and energy efficiency upgrades such as weather stripping, insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems and installing geothermal systems.

Interested homeowners may contact the Energy Center directly at (816) 531-7283 to learn more about the program or may visit the department's website at EnergizeMissouri.org.

You can also contact Energize Missouri Homes at P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or 877-610-0834 and EMH{dot}upgrades{at}shawgrp{dot}com.