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Laclede Gas Files for 15% Rate Reduction for Customers
ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), November 1, 2009 - Customers of Laclede Gas Company can expect to see appreciably lower monthly gas bills going into the 2009-10 heating season (defined as November through March).
Laclede Gas has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to lower its rates by 15% compared to existing rates due to reduced gas supply costs which the Company is required to flow through to its customers. If approved, it would be the third consecutive rate decrease going into a heating season. The portion of Laclede's rates related to the recovery of the costs it incurs for the delivery of gas to customers through its distribution system was not impacted by today's filing.
As a result of this decrease, the amount paid by a typical residential customer during the 2009-10 heating season will be down roughly $118, or $24 per month, from the amount the customer would have paid based on last winter's rates. Compared to when rates peaked during the 2005-06 heating season, the amount paid by a typical residential customer will be down about $258, or nearly $52 per month, for the upcoming heating season.
"We're pleased to announce that our customers will receive some welcome relief on their gas bills this winter," said Michael Cline, director of tariff and rate administration for Laclede Gas. "This latest decrease is largely the result of a reduction in the cost of gas the Company stored this past summer for use this winter as natural gas prices remained down from the record peak they reached in the middle of last year."
Customers will pay an average price of $0.66 per therm for natural gas for the 2009-10 heating season, down from $0.83 per therm for the 2008-09 heating season and $1.05 per therm in the 2005-06 heating season.
Customers can learn more steps to reduce their natural gas usage through conservation techniques, purchasing high-efficiency appliances and other energy-efficiency ideas at Laclede's new website: www.originalgreenenergy.com.
Cape Air Launches St. Louis Service from Lambert
ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), November 1, 2009 - Beginning November 8th Cape Air, one of the largest independent airlines in the United States, launches air service from Lambert-St. Louis International Airport to Cape Girardeau, Missouri and the towns of Quincy and Marion, Illinois.
"A Cape Air welcome to the mid-west," said Cape Air founder and CEO, Dan Wolf. "This is an exciting move for all of us. Our aircraft are in place and pilots, along with our airport personnel, are ready to greet our mid-west passengers and introduce everyone to Cape Air's singular brand of MOCHA HAGoTDI service. In addition, we are thrilled to re-introduce the American Airlines code to our new communities. Final details of Cape Air's agreement with American are still being finalized but we expect Cape Air will be operating with the AA code by early spring," Wolf added.
"Having a code share agreement with American Airlines already in place shows Cape Air's commitment to restoring reliable air service to Marion and Quincy," said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). "Once Cape Air takes over next month, travelers in these two communities will have a convenient way to connect from St. Louis to their final destinations. This is a long-awaited improvement and I congratulate American, Cape Air, and the communities for their tireless efforts to make this happen."
Cape Air tickets are available at www.capeair.com or 800-352- 0714. (No charge to talk to a Cape Air Reservations Agent). Ticketing also soon available at various distribution sites including Expedia and Travelocity. All ticket prices on all routes are $49 one way, $98 round trip.
EPA Calls on State of Missouri to Set New Water Quality Standards for St. Louis Segment of Mississippi River
ST. LOUIS (SLFP.com), November 1, 2009 - EPA has determined that the State of Missouri needs new or revised water quality standards to protect a 28.6-mile segment of the Mississippi River around St. Louis that flows from North Riverfront Park to the confluence of the Meramec River.
This EPA action directs the state to address this area of the Mississippi River to protect public health for recreational uses such as tubing, water-skiing and swimming.
EPA Region 7 Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division Director Art Spratlin said, "It is imperative that Missouri take necessary action to protect users of the Mississippi River from high levels of pathogens and bacteria largely resulting from untreated wastewater. We've found that people engage in recreational activities in this part of the Mississippi River and downstream, so their health must be protected."
Following today's action, Missouri will have the opportunity to review its analyses and collect additional information to revise its water quality standards and resubmit them to EPA for approval.
The Mississippi River upstream, downstream, and across the Illinois state line from this 28.6-mile segment near St. Louis is designated for what is referred to as primary contact recreation, also known as whole body contact recreation. In its determination, EPA explained that Missouri has not demonstrated that whole body contact recreation cannot be attained in this portion of the river. The determination also finds that Missouri has not shown that its current standards will protect downstream waters as required by federal regulations.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Sewer District is discussing with EPA and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) plans to address issues with combined sewer overflows, and the action should further help to protect water quality for local citizens.
MDNR earlier had sought the more protective standard, but the Clean Water Commission refused to approve that approach.
EPA made a determination in December 2008 that portions of the Mississippi River upstream and downstream of St. Louis should also be protected for whole body contact recreation. Missouri recently revised its water quality standards in response to this earlier determination, and EPA anticipates the state will soon be submitting those revisions to EPA for final review.
EPA oversees the protection of water quality as required by the Clean Water Act. The Agency is working with the public, community leaders, local and state agencies to address growing demands on the nation's water resources.
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