AUTHOR: Crystal Fontaine

Summer has finally arrived, bringing the typical blazing hot days and the occasional weather emergency. This is the time of the year to crank up the A/C, go to the lake, and relax. Hopefully, there are some of you out there that will scribble, in your demanding schedules, time to look at what concerns and issues are being brought up in your Missouri legislation. Since hotter days are on the horizon, it is only appropriate to mention the act SB720.

In section 393.108 of SB720, there is the establishment of the hot weather rule similar to bills SB 11 and SB 955. The hot weather regulation is applied to the period between June 1st and September 30th. Let’s just hope there is a cold weather rule, otherwise electricity only runs a half year guarantee and wouldn’t that be ghastly? Under the rule, providers of natural gas and electricity are prohibited from disconnecting their services to residents on those days when going to the mailbox seems like crossing the desert. Whatever did we do without our current A/C systems and ice makers? I feel a little spoiled.

Coinciding with the hot weather plan, the Utilicare Stabilization Fund no longer has a five million dollar cap, but is subject to appropriations each fiscal year. Providers of heating or cooling can sink their teeth into $200 more from the $600 to the $800 allowed from the Utilicare Stabilization Fund. This will be only on the behalf of eligible households. The act also requires that the Department of Social Services utilize a portion of the funds to the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program.

Sections 393.171 and 1150 of the bill deal with the construction of electric plants. The Public Service Commission may sanction the production of an electric plant after it has been constructed; however, no approval or permit will deteriorate any private suits or claims against the constructed electric plant and any costs will be prohibited to be recovered from ratepayers. Any plants illegally constructed after the date of August 28, 2008, will be subject to awarding triple the amount of damages to the plaintiff’s real estate with the addition of any fees accrued in a claim.

Finally, bill SB720 creates the Manufacturer Responsibility and Consumer Convenience Equipment Collection and Recovery Act. Try saying that 20 times in a row. What all does this entail? Manufacturers, in order to sell their computers in Missouri, are obligated to utilize recovery plans for the collection and recycling of their obsolete equipment. The plans must be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources. Also, manufacturers must label their equipment. If violations occur, the Department of Natural Resources and the Attorney General are given the authority to assess penalties.

Bill SB720 may seem minuscule in the great scheme of things; however, it is critical to understand that every piece of legislation is important and does affect each one of us. If it wasn’t, then electrical companies and manufacturers could do whatever they pleased.