STATE OF MISSOURI

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

 

At a session of the Public Service Commission held at its office in Jefferson City on the 31st day of October, 2012.

 

 

In the Matter of Atmos Energy                         )

Corporation’s 2011-2012 Purchased Gas          )         File No. GR-2012-0129

Adjustment and Actual Cost Adjustment           )         Tariff No. YG-2013-0191

 

 

ORDER APPROVING INTERIM RATES

 

Issue Date:  October 31, 2012                            Effective Date:  November 1, 2012

 

 

          On October 16, 2012, Liberty Energy (Midstates) Corp., d/b/a Liberty Utilities[1] filed a tariff proposed to become effective November 1.  The tariff reflects a change in Liberty’s Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) factor because of estimated changes in the cost of natural gas. 

For the Liberty West Area (WEMO), including Butler, Rich Hill, and Hume, Liberty’s filing will increase the firm PGA rate from $0.42245 per hundred cubic feet (Ccf),  to $0.44912 per Ccf.  This represents an increase of $0.02667 per Ccf. 

For the Liberty Northeast Area (NEMO), including Hannibal, Canton, Bowling Green, and Palmyra, Liberty’s filing will decrease the firm PGA factor from $0.48103 per Ccf to $0.45687 per Ccf.  This represents a decrease of $0.02416 per Ccf. 

For the Liberty Kirksville Area, including Kirksville and Lancaster, Liberty’s filing will increase the firm PGA factor from $0.50787 per Ccf to $0.52046 per Ccf.  This represents an increase of $0.01259 per Ccf. 

For the Liberty Southeast Area (SEMO), including Jackson, Charleston, New Madrid, Caruthersville, Neelyville, and Kennett, Liberty’s filing will increase the firm PGA factor from $0.49250 per Ccf to $0.56741 per Ccf.  This represents an increase of $0.07491 per Ccf.

          The Commission’s Staff filed its recommendation on October 26.  Staff recommends the rates be approved on an interim basis, subject to refund, pending final Commission decision in this and Atmos’ previous ACA case.  Staff also asks to be allowed until December 20, 2013 to submit its results and recommendations regarding the information included in Atmos’ ACA filing.  

          The Commission has reviewed the proposed tariff and Staff’s recommendation.  The Commission finds that the proposed tariff conforms to Liberty’s Commission-approved PGA Clause.  In addition, because Liberty’s PGA clause allows for PGA change filings to take effect on 10-days’ notice, good cause has been shown pursuant to Section 393.140(11), RSMo 2000, to permit the tariff to become effective on less than 30-days notice.  The Commission concludes the proposed tariff should be approved to become effective on November 1, 2012, on an interim basis, subject to refund, pending final Commission decision in this and Atmos’ previous ACA case, GR-2011-0161.

          THE COMMISSION ORDERS THAT:

1.               The proposed tariff filed on October 16, 2012, by Liberty Energy (Midstates) Corp., d/b/a Liberty Utilities, assigned Tracking Number YG-2013-0191, and bearing an effective date of November 1, 2012, is approved on an interim basis, subject to refund, pending final Commission decision in file numbers GR-2011-0161 and GR-2012-0129.

2.               The tariff sheet approved is:

                                         P.S.C. MO No. 2                                         

18th Revised Sheet No. 44, Cancels 17th Revised Sheet No. 44

 

3.               Staff’s Procurement Analysis Unit shall submit its results and recommendations regarding the information included in Liberty’s ACA filing on or before December 20, 2013.

4.               This order shall become effective on November 1, 2012.

 

BY THE COMMISSION

 

 

 

 

Steven C. Reed

Secretary

 

( S E A L )

 

Gunn, Chm., Jarrett, Kenney,

and Stoll, CC., concur.

 

Woodruff, Chief Regulatory Law Judge


[1] Liberties Energy (Midstates) Corp., d/b/a Liberty Utilities is the successor in interest to Atmos Energy Corporation