2012 PSC Annual Report - Missouri Public Service Commission

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ORGANIZATIONAL FUNCTIONSNatelle DietrichDirector of Tariff, Safety, Economic& Engineering AnalysisThe Tariff, Safety, Economic & EngineeringAnalysis Department consists of four units: Energy,Telecommunications, Water and Sewer, and ManufacturedHousing. These units support the Commission in meeting itsstatutory responsibilities by providing technical expertise insafety; utility rates, tariffs, rules and regulations; economicanalysis; engineering oversight and investigations; andconstruction inspections. Theseunits accomplish their missionby making recommendationsto the Commission in theform of expert testimony,formal recommendations andpresentations.Robert SchallenbergDirector of Audits, Accounting& Financial AnalysisThe Audits, Accounting & Financial AnalysisDepartment consists of five units which provide expertiseto the Commission in the areas of utility accounting,auditing, engineering, finance, management and naturalgas procurement. Staff members perform audits,examinations, analyses and review the books and recordsof the utilities providing service in Missouri. Theseemployees express their conclusions and findings in theform of expert testimony andrecommendations that arefiled with the Commission.These units are alsoresponsible for investigatingand responding to consumercomplaints and makingrecommendations to theCommission regarding theirresolution.Kevin A. ThompsonChief Staff CounselAttorneys of the Staff Counsel’s Office represent theCommission’s staff in administrative matters before theCommission. The Staff Counsel’s Office also provideslegal advice to the Commission’s staff. The officehouses the Consumer Services Unit, the clearinghousefor all utility consumerinquiries. Consumer Servicesinvestigates and respondsto complaints to ensurecompliance with Commissionrules and utility tariffs. Whena consumer has an issue thatis not satisfactorily resolvedafter an initial contact withthe utility, the consumermay call the PSC consumerhotline (1-800-392-4211) forassistance.PSC Annual Report 9
REGULATORY ACTIVITY25,00020,00022,Missouri Commission orload 2-22Figures uoted as of 9-2-22 2 2215,00010,000,938,995,53,8,3355,000COMPLAINTS,INQUIRIES ANDPUBLICCOMMENTSGENERALUTILITY CASESCOMMISSIONCASES OPENEDCOMMISSIONCASE FILINGSRate Case ExpenseCase No. A-2-33Testimony presented in recent rate cases and escalatingrate case expense requests led the Public Service Commission(Commission) to open a case to consider whether changesshould be made to current rules and practices wherebyregulated utilities generally recover all costs incurredwhen presenting a rate case before the Commission. TheCommission directed staff to investigate whether it isappropriate for shareholders to bear responsibility for aportion of rate case expense, or whether it is appropriateto establish a dollar or revenue percentage cap on rate caseexpense that can be passed on to ratepayers. The file is arepository for anyone wanting to submit informal comments.Tariff Liability LanguageCase No. AO-22-3On December 7, 2011, the Commission opened a casedirecting the staff to investigate tariff provisions addressingliability for damages by surveying provisions currently ineffect, examining other states’ policies on such provisions and PSC Annual Report029DATAREQUESTS ANDRESPONSES929,2TARIFFACTIVITYCOMPANIES’ANNUAL REPORTSUBMISSIONSfiling a report. Staff filed its first report, outlining provisionscurrently in effect, on March 30, 2012. Staff reported thatmost current tariff liability language was reasonable forelectric, natural gas, water and sewer utilities, and anyconcerns were not ripe for discussion in this proceeding.Staff also noted that the liability language it reviewed fortelecommunications companies was egregious. Staff filedits second report, which summarized the policies of otherstates, on August 1, 2012. Staff received information from 31states and found most states have similar liability languageand policies as Missouri. Based on the information gatheredfor both reports, staff recommended the Commissionreview tariff liability language on a case-by-case basis. TheCommission issued another order asking for a third report toexamine jurisdictions that have reduced regulated utilities’immunity from liability for personal and property damage.Investigation into the Establishmentof Low-Income Customer ClassCase Nos. E-23-5,G-23- and -23-On August 8, 2012, the Commission opened aninvestigation into the establishment of a low-incomecustomer class or other means to help make utility serviceaffordable. In its order, the Commission commented thatover the last several utility rate cases, witnesses at local public559
Page 4: TABLE OF CONTENTSBudget ...........
Page 7 and 8: BIOGRAPHIESCommissioner Jarrett is
Page 9 and 10: KEY PSC PERSONNELCommissionersKevin
Page 11: ORGANIZATIONAL FUNCTIONSAdministrat
Page 16 and 17: REGULATORY ACTIVITYalleged deficien
Page 18: REGULATORY ACTIVITYAdditional Notew
Page 21 and 22: REGULATORY ACTIVITYmust rely on FER
Page 23 and 24: REGULATORY ACTIVITYcompanies are co
Page 25 and 26: REGULATORY ACTIVITYprogram. Althoug
Page 27 and 28: REGULATORY ACTIVITYMANUFACTURED HOU
Page 29 and 30: REGULATORY ACTIVITYConsumer Service
Page 31 and 32: YEAR IN REVIEW2011July 3 Public Ser
Page 33 and 34: STATISTICSNATURAL GAS UTILITIES STA
Page 35 and 36: STATISTICSCOMBINATION WATER AND SEW
Page 37: CONTACTING THE PSCMissouri Public S

2012 PSC Annual Report - Missouri Public Service Commission

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