Missouri Public Service Commission public hearings for the Ameren Missouri rate-request case will come to the Southeast Missouri area Monday.

Those living in and around Cape Girardeau will have a chance to attend a meeting at noon at the Osage Centre to offer their input on the utility's request to raise electric rates.

Ameren Missouri, which provides electric service to about 1.2 million customers in the state, filed the case with the commission in July to increase annual electric revenue by nearly 10 percent. That's a $264-million-a-year increase that would cause the average residential electric bill to rise by about $10 a month if the full amount is approved.

In recent years, the commission has granted Ameren Missouri's rate-increase requests but not the full amount. The utility says its newest proposal is necessary for improvements and investments.

For example, Ameren Missouri has invested about $100 million into new substations to power what it has referred to as critical regional assets. The utility held a groundbreaking in Cape Girardeau last month at a location on Route K that soon will be home to one of two new substations.

Bob Dixon, director of the Southeast Missouri Division of Ameren, said at the Dec. 5 ceremony the new substations, combined with other system upgrades in the area, will help prevent outages that may occur by 2016.

The utility also has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into clean energy systems, including solar power.

The Cape Girardeau public hearing Monday will be followed by an evening meeting in Dexter, Missouri, before final meetings continue later this week near the St. Louis area. Those unable to attend any of the public hearings may file a comment with the PSC at efis.psc.mo.gov/mpsc/Comments.html.

The entire commission review process, including public hearings, takes about 11 months, and a decision is expected by May. New rates would take effect 30 days after the decision.

srinehart@semissourian.com

388-3641

Pertinent address:

1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.

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Want to go?

What: Missouri Public Service Commission public meeting regarding Ameren Missouri*'s requested rate increase

When: noon Monday

Where: Osage Centre, 1625 N. Kingshighway, Cape Girardeau