In the Matter of Union Electric Company
d/b/a Ameren )
Missouri for Permission and Approval and a
Certificate )
Of Public Convenience and Necessity
Authorizing it to )
Construct, Install, Own, Operate, Maintain
and ) File No. EA-2015-0273
Otherwise Control and Manage Solar
Generation )
Facilities in Montgomery County, Missouri
ORDER GRANTING APPLICATIONS TO
INTERVENE AND SCHEDULING PROCEDURAL CONFERENCE
Issue Date: August 5, 2015 Effective
Date: August 5, 2015
On July 24, 2015, the Missouri Department of Economic Development —Division of Energy (“DED”) filed an application to intervene. On July 27, Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association (“MOSEIA”) filed an application to intervene. Also on June 27, United For Missouri, Inc. (“UFM”) filed a timely application to intervene.
Commission Rule 4 CSR 240-2.075(3) authorizes the Commission to grant an application to intervene if the party has an interest different from that of the general public which may be adversely affected by a final order arising from the case, or if granting intervention would serve the public interest.
DED is a state agency vested with the power and duties established in § 640.150, RSMo (Cum.Supp. 2013). DED’s responsibilities include assessing the impact of national energy policies on the state’s supply and use of energy and analyzing the potential for increased utilization of solar and making recommendations for the expanded use of alternate energy sources and technologies. DED has an interest in Ameren Missouri’s request for authority to construct, install, own, operate, maintain, control and manage solar generation facilities which is different than that of the general public. DED’s intervention will serve the public interest.
MOSEIA is an industry trade organization, organized as a non-profit corporation. MOSEIA represents solar industry stakeholders supporting policy issues focused on solar job creation and sustainable economic growth in Missouri. MOSEIA has an interest in Ameren Missouri’s application that is different from that of the general public that may be adversely affected by a final order in this matter.
UFM is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation, with over 77,000 members. UFM serves its members and promotes public education about policies in the state that will achieve economic growth, opportunity and prosperity. UFM’s interest is different from that of the general public. UFM’s participation in this matter may serve the public interest by providing the Commission its perspective.
Commission Rule 4 CSR 240-2.080(13) grants parties ten days from the date of a filing to respond to any pleading unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. No objections to DED’s, MOSEIA’s, or UFM’s applications were received. Upon review of the unopposed applications, the Commission finds DED, MOSEIA, and UFM meet the standards set in Commission Rule 4 CSR 240-2.075(3). Therefore, the Commission will grant the applications to intervene.
On July 29, the Office of the Public Counsel (“OPC”) filed a Motion for Procedural Conference. On July 30, the Missouri Industrial Consumers (“MIEC”) joined in OPC’s motion and submitted suggestions in support. MIEC points out that while it has not taken a position on Ameren Missouri’s Application, the Commission and other parties may benefit from a procedural conference to discuss a procedural schedule, including a possible hearing date. Finding the request to be reasonable, the Commission will grant the motion and set a procedural conference.
THE COMMISSION ORDERS THAT:
1. The Missouri Department of Economic Development —Division of Energy’s application to intervene is granted.
2. Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association’s application to intervene is granted.
3. United For Missouri, Inc.’s application to intervene is granted.
The Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers’ application to intervene is granted.
4. A
procedural conference will be held at 10:00
a.m. on August 18, 2015, at the Commission’s office at the Governor Office
Building, 200 Madison Street, Jefferson City, Missouri, Room 310. This building
meets accessibility standards required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If additional accommodations are needed to participate in this pre-hearing
conference, please call the Public Service Commission’s Hotline at 1‑800‑392-4211
(voice) or Relay Missouri at 711 prior to the hearing.
5. This order shall be effective when issued.
BY
THE COMMISSION
Morris
L. Woodruff
Secretary
Kim S. Burton, Regulatory
Law Judge, by delegation of authority
pursuant to Section 386.240, RSMo 2000.
Dated at Jefferson City, Missouri,
on this 5th day of August, 2015.