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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Monday, January 15, 2007
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Storm Victims Are Cautioned to Watch for Repair Fraud
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 15, 2007 - Consumers are cautioned to avoid getting ripped off with high costs repairs for bursting pipes, collapsed roofs and wrecked cars as the result of this past weekend's ice storm.
Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon is reminding consumers to:
- Contact your homeowners or auto insurance company to file a claim and understand exactly what parts of your needed repairs are covered.
- Be suspicious of solicitors who go door-to-door offering to make home repairs. Most con artists work this way.
- Work with companies that are known or recommended by someone you trust. Check a company's reputation with the St. Louis-area Better Business Bureau or Nixon's Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.
- Get at least two estimates in writing before choosing a contractor to repair your home or remove debris.
- Don't pay full price in advance for services you haven't yet received. Only make full payment when the terms of your agreement have been met.
- Watch for price gouging. It's a violation of Missouri law for merchants to raise prices on necessities to make excessive profits after a natural disaster.
Nixon recovered almost $38,000 in restitution for consumers in an alleged price gouging case after a severe ice storm caused widespread power outages in eastern Missouri earlier this winter. Precision Equipment, a Farmington generator dealer, paid $37,952 in consumer restitution and $3,000 in costs to the state to resolve allegations it overcharged consumers as much as $697 per generator.
Consumers who suspect price gouging or other fraud can file a complaint with the Attorney General's Office at ago.mo.gov, or by calling the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-392-8222.
Blunt Seeks Expedited Federal Assistance for Missouri and St. Louis Area Storm Victims
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 15, 2007 - Gov. Matt Blunt is seeking quick approval by President Bush of his request for an Expedited Major Disaster Declaration for 34 Missouri Counties and the City of St. Louis as a result of the severe winter weather.
"Emergency workers have told me this is the largest mass care national disaster Missouri has ever experienced," said Blunt, during visit to shelters Monday in Springfield and St. Charles. "My primary concern is the safety of Missourians. I have asked President Bush to approve my request as quickly as possible so we can add to the resources we are providing at the state and local level. To protect our citizens, local communities and the volunteer organizations opened more than 36 shelters, eight special needs shelters and 29 warming centers. We have also taken action to provide dozens of generators and we are doing everything possible to secure additional generator support."
The Governor's Expedited Major Disaster request focuses on securing the assets needed to conduct life safety actions including medical issues, securing generators, and debris removal by state and local governments during the three waves of severe winter weather impacting Missouri since January 12.
Blunt is asking for an Expedited Federal Declaration for Public Assistance for Barry, Barton, Callaway, Camden, Christian, Cole, Crawford, Dade, Dallas, Dent, Franklin, Gasconade, Greene, Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, Lincoln, Maries, McDonald, Miller, Montgomery, Newton, Osage, Phelps, Polk, Pulaski, St. Charles, St. Clair, St. Louis, Stone, Warren, Webster, Wright Counties and the City of St. Louis.
The Governor has activated approximately 550 Missouri National Guardsmen for local health and safety checks, transporting generators and supplies for shelter operations, and debris removal operations.
105,000 Ameren Company Customers Affected by Severe Winter Storm
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 13, 2007 - Ice on trees and lines are major problems, in addition to the loss of more than 70 distribution feeder circuits in the St. Louis Metropolitan area especially in St. Charles, Wentzville and West and North County.
As the rain falls ice continues to build on trees and further problems develop as a result of the freezing temperatures.
The storm began around 11 p.m. yesterday evening with rain, becoming freezing rain and ice in the overnight hours.
Given the nature of the damage, Ameren companies cannot offer customers anticipated restoration times but will make those available as soon as possible. A restoration update will be provided later today. Lengthy outages are expected.
"We kept all available crews on standby yesterday and called in contract crews from Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and southwestern Missouri and are requesting assistance from utility companies throughout the region. Contractor Crews from Tennessee are expected later today. We do appreciate our customers' patience during this critical time," said Richard Mark, senior vice president, AmerenUE Missouri Energy Delivery. "We are working closely with city and state officials and emergency response personnel to coordinate restoration efforts and ensure customer safety. Work will be continuing around the clock. We are also concerned about the potential for deteriorating road and driving conditions, however this has not been a problem at this point."
For customers who are without power in the cold and unable to get to a warm location, Ameren recommends staying in one room, wearing layers of clothing and wrapping up in blankets. Customers using an alternate heat source must be sure to follow all instructions, use fire safeguards and ensure proper ventilation. Also, prevent pipes in outside walls from freezing by allowing water faucets to slightly drip.
- Watch out for downed wires. If you see a fallen or sagging wire, assume that it is still energized and dangerous. Electric power lines can carry power even after being knocked to the ground. Stay away and warn others to do the same.
- Check on the elderly. If you know an elderly person in your neighborhood who is without power, check on that person's health.
- Pull some plugs. Turn off or disconnect the refrigerator, freezer, television and other major appliances that would go on automatically when the power is restored. This precaution will avoid overloading a circuit when power comes back on - and the chance of a second interruption. After power is restored, turn them on one at a time.
- Flip a switch. Turn one or two light switches on so you will know when your service is restored.
- Resist the urge to peek in on the refrigerator and freezer. Food will stay fresh longer if the appliance stays closed.
- Use caution with your food. Check with your local health department and remember the rule, "When in doubt, throw it out!" The University of Illinois Extension Service says these foods should be discarded after four hours without power: Raw or cooked meat, poultry and seafood; Milk, cream, yogurt and soft cheeses; Cooked pasta and pasta salads; Custard, chiffon and cheese pies; Fresh eggs and egg substitutes; Meat-topped pizza and lunch meats; Casseroles, soups and stews; Mayonnaise and tartar sauce; Cookie dough
- These foods should be safe for a few days without power: Butter and margarine; Fresh fruits and vegetables. Opened jars of salad dressing, jelly, relish, taco sauce, barbecue sauce, mustard, ketchup and olives Hard and processed cheeses.
Missouri residents can call the hotline 314-554-2182; Illinois residents can call 217-424-6400.
Blunt, Missouri Officials Announce Plan to Help Low Income Missourians Pay Heating Costs
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), January 13, 2007 - Gov. Matt Blunt, Lt. Governor Peter Kinder, President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons, House Speaker Rod Jetton, State Sen. Chuck Gross and State Rep. Allen Icet announced their plan last Tuesday to help low-income Missourians pay for their home heating costs.
Joined by more than a dozen Community Action Agency leaders, the elected officials unveiled their proposal to provide $6.3 million to fully fund Utilicare, the state's program to help vulnerable Missourians with their winter utility costs.
"No Missourian should have to choose between heating their home and the necessities of life such as food and prescription medicine," Governor Blunt said. "When I became Governor, Utilicare had not been funded since 2001. We changed that when my administration was the first to fully fund Utilicare. The plan we are announcing today would fully fund this energy assistance for those who need it the most for the second year in a row. The leaders joining me today believe as I do in the need to help low-income families with rising energy costs."
"I want to commend Governor Blunt for caring about the daily lives of low income Missourians" said Lt. Governor Peter Kinder. He added, "My role as Senior Advocate has made me critically aware of the real needs our state's seniors face during the winter. For the second year in a row, the Governor's strong actions will provide much needed help for many of our citizens who may need help to keep their families warm this winter."
"Fully funding Utilicare expands our commitment to protect our state's most vulnerable citizens," President Pro Tem Gibbons said. "Affordable energy is important for all Missourians to have, but it can be a life and death situation for the poor."
"We are glad that we can utilize some of our budget surplus and help vulnerable seniors this time of year with their energy costs, especially when many of them are living on a fixed income," said House Speaker Jetton.
"Our members are pleased with Governor Blunt's proposal to fully fund UTILICARE at $6.3 million for the benefit of Missouri families with limited wages," said Ann Graff, President, Missouri Association for Community Action (MACA). "These funds will not only help Missouri families and children, they will prevent the elderly from having to make choices between paying their utility bill or purchasing their medication and food."
The plan calls for a supplemental budget which includes $6.3 million in funding for the Utilicare program.
The Public Service Commission estimates that the average five month winter cost for Missourians to heat their homes with natural gas will exceed $800 before taxes and transportation charges.
Eligible Missourians can sign up for Utilicare and LIHEAP, the federal low-income winter heating bill assistance program, through Local Community Action Agencies. For more information about Local Community Action Agencies visit www.communityaction.org/CAAServiceAreas.htm.
If approved by the legislature, ten percent of the Utilicare funding would be allocated for weatherization, helping households improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their heating and cooling costs.
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