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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Monday, July 23, 2007
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Missouri Receives $17 million Grant to Enhance Emergency Coordination
JEFFERSON CITY, (SLFP.com), July 23, 2007 - Gov. Matt Blunt announced today that Missouri will receive a $17,465,576 federal aid grant to assist first responders in improving public safety communications and coordination.
"Protecting Missourians' is a paramount responsibility of state government and a charge that I take very seriously," said Gov. Matt Blunt. "Ensuring our public safety community has the tools they need to adequately communicate is essential."
Funding will help state and local agencies acquire, deploy and train responders in systems designed to use voice, data, and/or video signals. The grant is awarded from the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in consultation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Funds were allocated using a formula that identified threats, vulnerabilities and consequences in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
Blunt has led the efforts to improve emergency response in Missouri. He directed the development of a detailed interoperability plan, created to ensure law enforcement and first responders are able to communicate during an emergency. The governor also committed more than $10 million in federal funds to ensure compatible communication among law enforcement officials and first responders when a disaster strikes.
Blunt also streamlined the state's public safety efforts, merging homeland security responsibilities into the Department of Public Safety and establishing the Homeland Security Advisory Council.
Laclede Gas Rate Settlement Approved
ST. LOUIS, (SLFP.com), July 23, 2007 - The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved the unanimous settlement reached in the rate case filed by Laclede Gas in December 2006. The settlement authorizes a $38.6 million annual increase in Laclede's base rates effective August 1, 2007, of which $5.5 million is currently being billed to customers in the form of an Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS).
Under the approved settlement, Laclede's typical residential customer's bill will increase $2.45 per month, or 2.6% for the initial annualized period, after an estimated $12 million credit to customers associated with income from Laclede's off-system sales of natural gas and upstream pipeline capacity. The new rates will apply throughout the Laclede Gas system, including its Missouri Natural operating division and the former Fidelity Natural Gas service area.
The increased rates from settlement of this case will assist Laclede in covering increased costs to operate and maintain its 16,000-mile distribution and storage system through which it distributes gas to approximately 631,000 customers. The Company last received a general rate increase in 2005.
The Company will also increase funding of its weatherization program to $950,000 annually, and invest up to an additional $3.5 million in various energy efficiency and alternative energy programs over the next three years. Laclede will also continue to offer programs that will help its most vulnerable customers with their utility bills, investing up to $600,000 annually in a low-income energy assistance program.
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