WESTSIDE — The Arkansas Public Service Commission last Friday announced a change in rates for Arkansas customers of Empire District Electric Company.
The firm supplies electricity to customers in Gentry, Decatur, Gravette, Sulphur Springs, Maysville and certain areas adjacent to these communities.
The PSC order granted an annual increase in revenues of approximately $2.1 million or about 19 percent, according to a press release from the Joplin, Mo., utility supplier.
The release stated: “The residential customer charge will increase to $10 per month. For residentialcustomers using 1,000 kilowatt hours, this means a total monthly increase of approximately $20. The percentage change will vary based upon customer usage patterns. The new rates went into effect on April 13, 2011.”
In making the announcement, Bill Gipson, president and CEO, stated, “The new rates will allow us to begin recovery of the costs associated with environmental upgrades at Iatan 1 and the Asbury Power Plant and new generating units, Riverton Unit 12, Iatan 2 and the Plum Point Generating Station. These new generating units will allow Empire to continue to provide reliable service to our customers with least-cost options using abalanced mix of resources.”
Based in Joplin, Mo., The Empire District Electric Company (NYSE: EDE) is an investor-owned, regulated utility providing electricity, natural gas (through its wholly owned subsidiary The EmpireDistrict Gas Company) and water service, with approximately 215,000 customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. A subsidiary of the company provides fiber optic services. For more information regarding Empire, visit www.empiredistrict.com.
News, Pages 2 on 04/20/2011