STATE OF
MISSOURI
PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
At a session of the Public Service Commission held at its office in Jefferson City on the 3rd day of April, 2013.
In the Matter of
the Third Prudence Review )
of Costs Subject
to the Commission-Approved ) Case No. EO-2013-0114
Fuel Adjustment
Clause of The Empire District )
Electric Company )
Issue Date: April 3, 2013 Effective Date: April 13, 2013
The Empire District Electric Company (“Empire”) has used a fuel adjustment clause since the Commission approved the use of that clause in the company’s general rate case, ER-2008-0093. Section 386.266.4(4) RSMo Supp. 2012, the statute that authorizes an electric utility to use a fuel adjustment clause, requires the Commission to conduct a prudence review of the utility’s fuel costs no less frequently than at 18‑month intervals. The 18‑month prudence review is also required by Commission Rule 4 CSR 240-20.090(7) and by Empire’s tariff.
On September 21, 2012, the Commission’s Staff filed
a notice stating that it started its prudence audit on that date. Commission Rule 4 CSR 240-20.090(7)(B)
establishes a timeline that requires Staff to file a recommendation regarding
the results of its audit no later than 180 days after it initiates its
audit. The timeline then directs the
Commission to issue an order regarding Staff’s audit no later than 210 days
after Staff initiates it audit, unless within 190 days some party to the
proceeding requests a hearing.
Staff filed its report and recommendation regarding
its prudence audit on February 26, 2013.
No party requested a hearing by the 190th day after Staff
initiated its audit. Therefore, the
Commission may now consider Staff’s report and recommendation.
Staff’s report and recommendation regarding its
prudence review states that Staff has conducted a review of all aspects of Empire’s
fuel costs as they are passed through to customers under the fuel adjustment
clause. Staff does not identify any
imprudence by Empire that would result in harm to the utility’s ratepayers.
The Commission finds Staff’s report and
recommendation regarding its prudence review of Empire’s fuel costs to be
reasonable. No party has requested a
hearing, or opposed or objected to Staff’s recommendation. Therefore, the Commission will approve
Staff’s report.
THE COMMISSION ORDERS THAT:
1. Staff’s Report regarding its prudence audit of the costs subject to The Empire District Electric Company’s fuel adjustment clause is approved.
2. All other requests for relief are denied.
3. This order shall become effective on April 13, 2013.
BY THE COMMISSION
Shelley Brueggemann
Acting Secretary