BEFORE THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF
Charles Harter, )
)
Complainant, )
)
v. ) File No. EC‑2013‑0491
)
Union
Electric Company d/b/a )
Ameren Missouri, )
)
Respondent. )
Issue Date: May 7, 2013 Effective
Date: May 7, 2013
On May 7, 2013, Charles Harter (“Complainant”)
filed a complaint with the Missouri Public Service Commission (“Commission”) against
Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri (“Respondent”). A copy of the complaint accompanies this
notice. This is a contested case[1]
pursuant to Section 386.390, RSMo 2000, although the statutes and Commission
regulations allow for a decision without a hearing.[2]
Since the Complainant alleges an amount in dispute of less than $3,000,
this case will proceed under the small formal complaint process.[3]
The Commission will set a deadline for Respondent to file an answer. In the alternative, the Respondent may file a written request that the complaint be referred to a neutral third-party mediator for voluntary mediation of the complaint. Upon receipt of a request for mediation, the 30‑day time period shall be tolled while the Commission ascertains whether or not the Complainant is also willing to submit to voluntary mediation. If Complainant agree to mediation, the time period within which an answer is due shall be suspended pending the resolution of the mediation process. Additional information regarding the mediation process is enclosed. If Complainant decline the opportunity to seek mediation, Respondent will be notified in writing that the tolling has ceased and will also be notified of the date by which an answer or notice of satisfaction must be filed. That period will usually be the remainder of the original 30‑day period.
As required by Section 536.067(2)(f), RSMo 2000, the Commission
informs the parties that the Commission’s provisions governing procedures
before the Commission, including provisions relating to discovery, are found at
Commission Rule 4 CSR 240-2.090. The
Commission will also set a deadline for its Staff to complete an investigation
and file a report.
THE COMMISSION
ORDERS THAT:
1. The Commission’s Data Center shall send, by certified mail, a copy of this notice and order and a copy of the complaint to Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri at:
Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri
1901 Chouteau Avenue
PO Box 66149, Mail Code 1310
St. Louis, MO 63166-6149
2. Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri shall file an answer to this complaint or request for mediation no later than June 6, 2013, and serve a copy upon the Complainant. All pleadings (the answer, the notice of satisfaction of complaint or request for mediation) shall be mailed to:
Secretary of the Public
Service Commission
Jefferson City, Missouri
65102-0360
or filed using the Commission’s electronic
filing and information service.
3. The Staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission shall investigate this complaint and file a report with the Commission no later than June 27, 2013.
4. The Commission’s Data Center shall send a copy of this notice and the Commission’s procedural rules, 4 CSR 240-2, to the Complainant.
5. This order shall become effective immediately upon issuance.
BY THE COMMISSION
Morris L. Woodruff
Secretary
by delegation of authority pursuant to
Section 386.240, RSMo 2000.
Dated at
on this 7th day of May, 2013.
[1] A “‘[c]ontested case’ means a proceeding before an agency in which legal rights, duties or privileges of specific parties are required by law to be determined after hearing.” Section 536.010.4, RSMo Supp. 2009.
[2] Sections 536.060 and 536.063, RSMo 2000; Commission Rule 4 CSR 240-2.115.
[3] 4 CSR 240-2.070(15).