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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Thursday, May 3, 2007
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Retail motor gasoline prices in St. Louis have surged over the last 2 months, passing the $3 per gallon on Thursday.
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St. Louis Gasoline Prices Soar Pass the $3 Mark
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), May 3, 2007 - Retail motor gasoline prices in St. Louis have surged over the last 2 months, passing the $3 per gallon on Thursday, due to higher crude oil prices, unplanned refinery outages, increased demand for gasoline, and low levels of gasoline imports from Europe.
Gasoline prices could hit an all time high possibly by the end of May. Prices began their seasonal increase about a month earlier than usual this year, according to AAA. However, the rapid rate of price increase is projected to slow over the next few months.
Motorists in California are dealing with prices that may soon top $5 per gallon for regular. That's not much consolation for motorists in the St. Louis area who are trying to cope with the alarming upward swing of prices.
During the summer season the average monthly gasoline pump price is projected to peak at an average of $2.87 per gallon in May. Last summer, the average monthly gasoline pump price peaked at $2.98 per gallon in July.
Other highlights for the Short-Term Energy Outlook include:
- As a result of tight oil markets and continued international uncertainty, the price of West Texas Intermediate crude oil is expected to average over $65 per barrel this summer (compared with $70 per barrel last summer) and average close to $64 per barrel annually for both 2007 and 2008.
- Despite the recent increases in world oil prices, global oil demand is projected to grow by 1.5 million barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2007 and 1.6 million bbl/d in 2008. About one-half of the projected growth in world oil consumption is in China and the U.S.
- Average U.S. crude oil production is expected to decrease by 30,000 bbl/d, or 0.6 percent, in 2007, to a level of 5.1 million bbl/d. In 2008, a 4.3-percent increase is expected, resulting in an average production rate of 5.3 million bbl/d. Much of the expected increase in domestic crude production comes from startup of the deepwater Gulf of Mexico Atlantis platform in late 2007 and the Thunderhorse platform in late 2008.
- Concerns about extreme weather conditions and rising prices in the oil market will keep upward pressure on the Henry Hub spot price during through 2008. On an annual basis, the Henry Hub spot price is expected to average $7.83 per thousand cubic feet (mcf) in 2007, an 89-cent increase from the 2006 average, and $8.11 per mcf in 2008.
- Following large increases in residential electricity prices during 2006, prices are projected to grow at a slower rate of 3.0 percent during 2007. Electricity prices are expected to continue to grow at 3.1 percent during 2008 as higher fuel costs are passed through to retail customers.
AmerenUE Says Johnson's Shut-Ins Can Be Opened
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), May 1, 2007 - AmerenUE officials have said it's their belief that the Johnson's Shut-Ins State Park can be opened for day use this summer if all parties - including state agencies - work together to make the park available to Missouri's citizens.
AmerenUE has been working diligently for the past 15 months to restore and repair the damage to the park resulting from the Taum Sauk Reservoir breach.
In a statement, AmerenUE President and Chief Executive Officer Thomas R. Voss, said, "We believe the park can and should be reopened for more extensive public use later this summer, including swimming in the Shut-Ins. However, that will take a cooperative effort by all parties. At AmerenUE, we are ready and willing to discuss this with all pertinent agencies."
AmerenUE believes a safe and restored river system, shut-ins access and security controls can be in place so that portions of the park can be opened by July 1. Ongoing construction activities can be segregated from public use areas so that restoration activities can continue uninterrupted.
This summer, visitors to the park would be able to enjoy the newly rebuilt park store, newly restored picnic areas and a boardwalk that provides access to areas where they can enjoy swimming in the shut-ins.
Over the past 15 months, the company has moved to restore areas affected by the breach of the Taum Sauk upper reservoir. Since the day of the Dec. 14, 2005, breach, AmerenUE and its contractors have:
-- removed nearly 15,000 truckloads of material from the site;
-- restored the delicate "fen" -- a unique and sensitive forested wetlands
with distinct features and vegetation -- crews literally removed debris
and silt by hand;
-- worked to improve water quality in the lower reservoir and Black River;
-- graded and seeded the campground area in Johnson's Shut-Ins, rebuilt
the camp store and repaired the boardwalks.
Meanwhile, the company has supported the local economy, settling thousands of dollars worth of claims, conducting an aggressive advertising campaign to promote tourism in the Taum Sauk area, and launching an award-winning Web site to give local businesses a way to reach a range of audiences.
Beyond the opening of the park for day use this summer, Voss added that AmerenUE has made no secret that the company wants to settle all issues related to the breach.
"We have made it clear we are ready to come to the table on settlement issues, but we need to know who speaks for the state," says Voss. "We are running out of time. Critical decisions have to be made soon."
Watch for Con Artists as Home-Repair Season Begins
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), April 29, 2007 - Attorney General Jay Nixon says his office already has hundreds of complaints this year about home repair contractors, and he says that number will just keep growing. As spring and summer arrive and more Missourians have work done on their homes, Nixon is urging consumers to watch out for tell-tale signs of fraud.
"Along with warm weather, flowers, grass and trees coming back, an unfortunate spring tradition is the home repair con artist," Nixon said. "Every year we see criminals going door to door and using other tricks to rip off Missouri consumers."
The Attorney General says consumers this year may have more repairs than usual because of leftover damage from summer, fall and winter storms during the past year.
Nixon says consumers should be suspicious of workers who:
- Solicit business door-to-door, especially after a damaging storm;
- Drive vehicles that are unmarked or have out-of-state license plates;
- Ask for full payment in advance;
- Have no physical address, just a phone or P.O. Box;
- Ask for an immediate decision; or
- Don't carry identification.
When selecting a home-repair company, Nixon offers consumers these tips:
- Hire companies that are known or recommended. Check a company's record with the local Better Business Bureau or the Attorney General's Consumer Complaint Hotline (number below);
- Check the credentials of companies: verify their numbers and addresses in the phone book, check for county or other local permits, and ask if they are licensed, bonded and insured;
- Get at least two estimates and a third if possible;
- Get all agreements in writing, including description of the job, completion dates and price; and
- Pay in full only when the work is complete according to the agreement.
Some contractors may not offer a contract, preferring instead to operate on a handshake agreement. In these cases, consumers can draft their own contract using a worksheet available from the Consumer Corner section of the Attorney General's Web site - ago.mo.gov or by calling 1-800-392-8222.
Students Honored for Outstanding Community Service
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), April 22, 2007 - Public school students who provide exemplary service in their communities were recognized in a ceremony, Wednesday, April 25, at the Truman Building in Jefferson City. Nearly 500 students, parents, teachers and legislators attended the 14th annual Missouri Service Day celebration.
The event recognizes the achievements of individuals and groups of students in elementary, middle and high schools who provide outstanding service to their communities through service-learning activities. This year's Inspire by Example Student Service-Learning Award recipients are:
* Key Club, Arcadia Valley High School
* Bayless Meal Runners, Bayless High School
* Teenage Republicans, Blue Eye High School
* Taking Another Path Program, Chillicothe Middle School Alternative Program
* Wayne Boykin, Harrisburg High School
* Character Council, Hazelwood West High School, Hazelwood School District
* Nicole Stamets, Hickman Mills High School
* Ozarkia Class, Horizons Educational Center, Camdenton School District
* Grace Sibbitts, Kirkwood Middle School
* Ladue DECA, the student marketing organization at Horton Watkins High School, Ladue School District
* Third- and Fourth-Grade Classes, Meramec Heights Elementary School, Fox School District
To be eligible for the award, a student or group of students must be nominated by a teacher or coordinator at their school. The school must take part in the Learn and Serve America Program or a school-based service-learning program. The community service programs are coordinated by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"Any age can be an inspiration to others, and this is our chance to look up to some shining stars in our state," said Alicia Riner, supervisor of the Missouri Service-Learning Program.
"These students are excellent examples for the rest of the world that they are on the right path. The path is one that shows others that you understand the importance of compassion, empathy, hard work, dedication and service," she said.
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