By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis – Missouri utility regulators have launched a formal investigation into the way AmerenUE handled the recent St. Louis-area power outage.
The Missouri Public Service Commission announced the investigation Thursday.
Commission chairman Jeff Davis said he's not sure what Ameren could have done differently considering the storms' severity, but he said it's the third consecutive summer that more than 200,000 Missourians have lost power.
"Obviously it's a great concern to us that at the hottest time of the year that people have electricity to keep themselves cool," Davis said.
In the past, the PSC has ordered Ameren to set a more rigorous schedule for tree trimming and to hire more staff.
Davis said the investigation will look into tree trimming and other factors.
Those with complaints about utility services can call the PSC consumer help line at 1-800-392-4211.