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Gas prices will raise in St. Louis

January 25, 2001
By: Aaron Cummins
State Capital Bureau

Laclede Gas Company customers will pay 29 percent more for their heating bills over the next two months. Aaron Cummins has the story from Jefferson City--

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In a 3-2 vote the Public Service Commission approved Laclede's request for a rate hike.

Commission Chair Sheila Lumpe says rising wholesale costs prompted Laclede to file for the increase.

Actuality:lump02
RunTime: 16
OutCue: or not."
Contents: Lumpe says the gas company filed the claim becuase they're losing money then, she says, it is up to PSC staff to investigate the request.

In this case, Lumpe's staff recommended the higher price.

But, all the commissioners didn't agree, with two saying they would like further investigation to make sure Laclede isn't paying too much for wholesale gas.

From the state capital, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.

The price for heat will get even higher in February and March for St. Louis-area gas customers. Aaron Cummins has the story from Jefferson City--

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Laclede Gas says it's losing money because of higher wholesale prices, so the Public Service Commission allowed the company to raise its rates.

Commissioner Kelvin Simmons voted against the increase.

He says the future for gas customers worried about high bills doesn't look good.

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Contents: Simmons says there is a task force being formed to look into rising costs, but he says the outlook for the immediate future isn't good.

Simmons says he couldn't vote for the increase because he's not sure the company is paying the best price possible for wholesale gas.

With the rate hike, customers will pay 29 percent more in February and March than they would have at the old price.

From the state capital, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.

Numbers were the main topic at a meeting where a decision was made that will cost St. Louis-area gas customers a lot of money over the next two months. Aaron Cummins has the story--

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Laclede Gas filed for a rate hike they said would increase a customer's bill by 12-percent-- but that's if you calculate it over the length of the winter.

The Public Service Commission originally thought it was a 38-percent increase. It is, but only on one part of the gas bill.

Ultimately, Commission chair Sheila Lumpe says there's only one number customers need to know: 29-percent.

Actuality:lump01
RunTime: 10
OutCue: percent increase."
Contents: Lumpe says if you compare the price that would have been paid and the price that will be paid it is a 29-percent increase.

The Commission approved the increase by a 3-2 margin.

In Jefferson City, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.

Your gas bill is going to cost you more in February and March if you're a Laclede Gas customer. Aaron Cummins has the story from Jefferson City--

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OutCue: SOC

The Public Service Commission approved a 29-percent rate hike for Laclede customers in a 3-2 vote.

Kelvin Simmons was one of the two commissioners voting against the price increase.

He says he wanted more investigation to make sure customers are getting the best price possible.

Actuality:simmons2
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Contents: Simmons says he's not convinced gas companies are passing the right prices on to consumers.

Laclede asked for the rate hike because it says it's losing money because of the rising price it has to pay for the gas it sells to St. Louis-area customers.

In Jefferson City, Aaron Cummins, KMOX-News.