An average monthly rate increase of $16.26 on natural gas would be a financial hardship on AmerenUE's Southeast Missouri customers, according to the two people who spoke at a public hearing Tuesday night.

"It would be a jolt to many people including myself," said Cape Girardeau resident John Jones, who spoke at the Missouri Public Service Commission hearing at the Show Me Center.

"I have no complaint against Ameren," Jones said. "But that's too much for people to handle at one crack."

A total of four residents showed up at the hearing.

The PSC brought two commissioners and several staff to Cape Girardeau, as it has in several other cities, to gather public input.

Ameren filed a request in May for a $26.7 million increase in natural gas rates that would be phased in to Missouri's 111,000 Ameren gas customers. Ameren is asking for the increase because of the cost of constructing, operating and maintaining the company's natural gas system.

So far, the PSC isn't quite buying there's a need.

Warren Wood, PSC's energy department director, said a study of Ameren's books shows that Ameren probably needs an increase of about $10 million.

Formal hearings on the case are scheduled to begin in January and the PSC expects to make a ruling by April.

The other local speaker, Shirley Moore, hopes the increase doesn't happen. Moore, who works for the nonprofit Delta Area Economic Opportunity Corp. in Portageville, Mo., helps people in paying their energy bills.

"It would be a tremendous burden for my clients," she said. "Many of them struggle to pay their bills already. There are a lot of people who make minimum wage, and they are struggling to pay their bills as it is now."

smoyers@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137