Residents complain of high utility bills at energy forum
By Gerald Pace
For the St. Louis American
Recent complaints of extremely high utility bills and a lack of customer service from Laclede Gas Company gave way to an Energy Forum Saturday at the Omega Center. The forum was sponsored by state Senators Maida Coleman and Rita Days and state Representatives Amber Boykins, Esther Haywood, Juanita Head Walton and Robin Wright-Jones. About 100 concerned residents and officials were present.
Gay Fred, customer services manager for the Public Service Commission; Daniel Beck, engineer of gas tariffs/rate design for the Public Service Commission; Gloria Thirdkill, a representative from Laclede Gas Company; Jackie Hutchinson, director of Energy Programs at the Human Development Corporation (HDC); and Tina Shannon, a representative from Ameren-UE, were panelists.
“The reason we sponsored this forum was because of an outcry of the constituency. They need help right now,” said Boykins.
“We want to make sure the people’s questions are being answered. We put people before them that can answer them.”
Consumers complained of astronomical gas bills, estimated bills that don’t match the amount they feel they’ve used in their homes, and incorrect meter readings from remote devices. Other concerns were customer service issues and clarity of company policies. Senior residents said they have been forced to choose between gas bills and food.
“The cost of gas is deregulated, and we have no bearing on how much we are billed for gas,” said Beck, of the Public Service Commission.
“The prices were deregulated about 15 years ago. No matter what we in the state of Missouri do, the federal government has the control to regulate or deregulate gas prices. It would take an act of Congress.”
“The commission staff does have a case against Laclede about not answering questions concerning estimated bills and getting into homes to take readings. The case is in its early stages,” said Fred, also of the PSC.
“The consumers have been experiencing very high bills,” Boykins said.
“One of my constituents had a vacant property, and the bill was $642. There was clearly a malfunction, and we were able to refer him to proper agency that could help him.”
Dorothy Walls, a customer from North County, said she rents a property to her son, a truck driver who is seldom home.
“He only has a hot water heater that uses gas with no other appliances connected. He doesn’t even have his furnace lit or a stove at the property. His first bill was $194, the second bill was $299 and the third was $374,” Walls said.
“I live right next door and I cook every day and keep my thermostat high, but my bill is only about $100 every month.”
Walls said she had contacted Laclede Gas and hadn’t received proper help.
“I was at the last meeting and nothing has been done about my situation,” Walls said. “I gave my information to Ms. Thirdkill, and I haven’t even received a phone call.”
Laclede Gas offers energy assistance through the Human Development Corporation to seniors, disabled customers, and customers with medical emergencies. Hutchinson of the HDC said there are currently 15,000 applications for energy assistance.
“If your bill is higher than normal and you’re struggling to pay it, we ask that you apply and not suffer in silence,” Hutchinson said.
Also, low-income and elderly customers may be able to avoid disconnection because of the cold weather rule. Customers must call the company and make payment arrangements during the winter months to avoid disconnection. A percentage of the bill still must be paid.
For information about energy assistance programs, call (314) 757-4484. To complain about unresolved issues with utility companies, contact your state representative.
