Law and Government Legislation regarding 'Utilities' in Missouri

SB 1277 - This act allows electric and gas corporations to implement energy efficiency programs, subject to the review and approval of the Public Service Commission (PSC). Such programs shall be reasonably designed to be cost-effective or in the best interest of customers. Prudently incurred expenditures made by the corporations for approved energy efficiency programs may be recovered through rates as an ongoing expense item or as a rate base item as described in the act. The PSC may exempt the allocation of energy efficiency expenditures to low-income or senior citizen customers. An approved energy efficiency program may be terminated at any time by the PSC or the corporation, or by another proper party for good cause shown. The act does not preclude the PSC from approving energy efficiency programs that are not deemed cost-effective, if the increased costs over and above the cost-effective level are paid for by customers who voluntarily participate in the program or are otherwise [...]

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HCS/SB 958 - This act authorizes any rural electric cooperative and certain electrical corporations that operate on the not-for-profit cooperative business plan to trim trees and control vegetation within the legal description in a recorded easement, or when no easement exists, within the following areas: 1) within 10 feet of electric lines located in a city and potentially energized at or below 34.5 kilovolts; 2) within 30 feet of electric lines located outside of a city and potentially energized at or below 34.5 kilovolts; 3) within 50 feet of electric lines potentially energized between 34.5 and 100 kilovolts; and 4) within 75 feet or within a federally required clearance for electric lines potentially energized at 100 kilovolts or more. In claims for property damage, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that the electric utility acted with reasonable care and within its rights when controlling vegetation in these areas. Electric cooperatives may control vegetation in excess of [...]

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SCS/SB 904 - This act modifies provisions pertaining to the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act. Under current law, gas distribution lines, electric lines, telecommunications facilities, cable t.v. facilities, water lines, storm drainage, and sewer lines located on private property and owned by the landowner are not considered "underground facilities" for purposes of the Underground Facility Safety and Damage Prevention Act. This act modifies this definition by requiring that if any of the above-mentioned lines are used for vehicular traffic control, the lighting of streets and highways, or communications for emergency response, they shall be considered an "underground facility." The lines shall also be considered an "underground facility" if they cross or lie within a public easement, public right-of-way, or another person's property. Under current law, persons who own or operate underground pipeline facilities are deemed to comply with requirements to identify [...]

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HCS/SCS/SB 720 - This act modifies various provisions relating to utilities.SECTION 386.572 - NATURAL GAS SAFETYThe act sets the maximum penalty for a single violation of any order by the Public Service Commission (PSC) relating to federal natural gas safety standards at $15,000 per violation. The maximum penalty for a continuing violation or a multiple series of such violations is $150,000. The maximum penalties increase by increments described in the act in the years 2015, 2025, 2035, and 2040. The PSC may determine the amount of the penalty based on several variables as described in the act. Each violation shall be considered a separate and distinct offense. This provision is similar to SB 1160 (2008).SECTION 393.108 - HOT WEATHER RULEThe act establishes a hot weather rule during the time period from June 1st to September 30th. During this time, natural gas or electricity providers are prohibited from disconnecting service to residential customers on days when either [...]

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