STATE OF MISSOURI

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

 

At a session of the Public Service Commission held at its office in Jefferson City on the 24th day of November, 2014.

 

In the Matter of Liberty Utilities (Midstates   )

Natural Gas) Corp. d/b/a Liberty Utilities’     )              File No. GR-2015-0095

Purchased Gas Adjustment Tariff Filing       )              Tariff No. YG-2015-0203

 

ORDER APPROVING TARIFF

 

Issue Date:  November 24, 2014                         Effective Date:  December 1, 2014

 

On November 4, 2014, Liberty Utilities (Midstates Natural Gas) Corp. d/b/a Liberty Utilities filed a tariff sheet that would adjust the winter Purchased Gas Adjustment (“PGA”) rate for its four service areas. The tariff sheet reflects a change in Liberty Utilities PGA as a result of estimated changes in the cost of natural gas for the upcoming winter season, as well as the Actual Cost Adjustment (“ACA”).

For the Liberty West Area, which includes Butler, Rich Hill and Hume, Liberty Utilities’ filing will increase the firm PGA rate from $0.49373 per Ccf to $0.57396 per Ccf. This represents a $0.08023 per Ccf increase. For the Liberty Kirksville Area, the filing will increase the firm PGA rate from $0.59464 per Ccf to $0.65242 per Ccf. This represents a $0.05778 per Ccf increase.

The Liberty Northeast Area, which includes Hannibal, Canton, Bowling Green and Palmyra will see an increase in the firm PGA rate from the current $0.53588 per Ccf to $0.60103 per Ccf. This represents a $0.06515 per Ccf increase. The fourth service territory, the Liberty Southeast Area includes Jackson, Charleston, New Madrid Caruthersville, Neelyville and Kennett. Liberty Utilities’ filing will decrease the firm PGA for the Liberty Southeast Area from the current rate of $0.57302 per Ccf to $0.53843 per Ccf. This represents a decrease of $0.03459 per Ccf.

The Commission’s Staff filed its recommendation on November 14, 2014. Staff recommends the rates be approved on an interim basis, subject to refund pending final Commission decisions in File Nos. GR-2015-0095 and GR-2014-0060.[1] Staff also asks to be allowed until December 18, 2015 to submit its results and recommendations regarding the information included in Liberty Utilities’ ACA filing.

The Commission has reviewed the proposed tariff sheet and Staff’s recommendation. The Commission set a November 18, 2014, deadline for entities to submit comments on the tariff or Staff’s recommendation, but no comments were received. The Commission finds that the proposed tariff sheets conform to Liberty Utilities’ Commission-approved PGA Clause. In addition, because Liberty Utilities’ PGA clause allows for filing changes to take effect on 10-days’ notice, good cause has been shown pursuant to Section 393.140(11), RSMo 2000, to permit the tariff sheet to become effective on less than 30-days’ notice.

The Commission concludes that the proposed tariff sheet should be approved to become effective on December 1, 2014, on an interim basis, subject to refund, pending final Commission decisions in GR-2015-0095 and GR-2014-0060.

THE COMMISSION ORDERS THAT:

1.     The proposed tariff sheet filed on November 4, 2014, by Liberty Utilities (Midstates Natural Gas) Corp. d/b/a Liberty Utilities, assigned Tracking Number YG-2015-0203 and bearing an effective date of December 1, 2014, is approved on an interim basis, subject to refund, pending final Commission decisions in File Nos. GR-2015-0095 and GR-2014-0060. The tariff sheet approved is:

                                                  P.S.C. MO. No. 2                                       

     20th Revised Sheet No. 44, Cancelling 19th Revised Sheet No. 44

 

 

2.     Staff’s Procurement Analysis Department shall submit its results and recommendations regarding the information included in Liberty Utilities’ ACA filing on or before December 18, 2015.

3.               This order shall become effective on December 1, 2014.

                                                            BY THE COMMISSION

 

 

 

 

                                                            Morris L. Woodruff

                                                            Secretary

 

 

 

R. Kenney, Chm., Stoll, W. Kenney,

Hall, and Rupp, CC., concur.

 

Burton, Regulatory Law Judge,

 


[1] File No. GR-2014-0060 was established to track Liberty Utilities’ PGA factors in its 2012-2013 ACA filing.