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Missouri could lose business without electric competition

In the last part of our series on Missouri's possible deregulation of the electric industry, Rebecca Sapakie tells us what competition would do for Missouri business.

Within the last year, Oklahoma, Illinois, and Kansas have either passed or considered legislation allowing electric competition.

One concern that's really driving this issue in Missouri is the fear that if Missouri doesn't do something soon they will be left behind.

Mark Palmer is a spokesman for ENRON, a nationaly based company advocating competition across the country. He says Missouri may be going too slow.

Actuality:Mark Palmer
RunTime: 14
OutCue: ... locate in Missouri.
Contents: [183K WAV file - Border states may take business away from Missouri.]

Some consumer advocates predict big businesses will be the only one to benefit and certainly will benefit the most from electric competition. That's the contention of Bob Jackson. He's a spokesman for low income people.

But Maurice (morris) Brubaker, a spokesman for industry, says cheaper energy for businesses could be passed on to consumers.

Actuality:Maurice Brubaker
RunTime: 12
OutCue: ...goods and services.
Contents: [136K WAV file - Energy savings may be passed on to customers through goods and services. ]

But, don't look for those savings any time soon. St.Louis County Senator Wayne Goode sits on the task force considering electric competition. He said if legislation is proposed, he intends to wait at least another year before doing so.

After that, it could take about three to five years to phase out regulation.

If you're interested in getting your opinion heard on this issue all of the task force meetings are public. Meeting times can be found on the World Wide Web under the state of Missouri, economic development, and the Public Service Commission.

I'm Rebecca Sapakie at the Capitol.