Wal-Mart seeks to intervene in electric rate case

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Wal-Mart is seeking to intervene in a dispute about electric rates between Ameren Missouri and its largest electric customer.

Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. has sought about a 25 percent reduction in the rate Ameren charges at its aluminum smelter in the Southeast Missouri town of New Madrid.

Wal-Mart filed a motion Friday with the Missouri Public Service Commission, asking to intervene in the case.

In its filing, Wal-Mart says a lower rate for Noranda could significantly affect its electric bills. Wal-Mart operates 73 stores in Missouri that consume a combined 190 million kilowatts per hour in electricity.

Noranda says Ameren is overearning, and lowering its rate would increase other customers' bills only by 1.8 percent or less. Ameren disagrees and says it will fight the rate reduction.