By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – The Missouri Public Service Commission heard testimony Thursday afternoon on a proposed rate hike by Laclede Gas.
The utility had originally requested nearly $53 million more, but after negotiations with several public interest groups Laclede lowered its requested rate hike to just under $39 million.
Lera Shemwell is Deputy Counsel for the Public Service Commission:
"The impact on customers, the average residential customer, is around $2.50, or 2.65%, which is, I would say, in line with what inflation has been in the last couple of years," Shemwell said.
Commission members heard more than two hours of testimony Thursday but took no action.
They may vote on the proposed rate hike at a meeting next week.