Under the MPSC order, a Liberty Missouri residential natural gas customer using approximately 54 Ccf of usage per month will see an increase of $1.50 per month.

Like all utilities and other businesses, Liberty must make regular investments to continue providing safe and reliable service to our customers. Since our last Missouri natural gas rate update more than 12 years ago in April 2010, Liberty has invested more than $23 million in efforts to maintain a safe, reliable natural gas system, enhance the customer experience, and expand support for limited-income customers.

Examples of investments that were included in this case and reviewed by the Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) include:

• Investments in the natural gas distribution system since the last rate update in 2010 to ensure the ongoing delivery of safe, reliable energy
• Enhancements to improve the customer experience:
  • an improved online and mobile platform that enables customers to view and manage their usage, pay their bill, and set up account alerts through text and email (Liberty My Account)
  • Approval to remove the direct charge of the convenience fee that is currently applied when customers pay their bill using a debit or credit card online or by phone
  • Approval to update energy efficiency programs and expand a program to assist limited-income customers with their energy bills
• Protection from high bills following harsh temperatures through a Weather Normalization Adjustment Rider (WNAR) for Missouri gas customers. The purpose of the WNAR is to mitigate fluctuations in customer bills due to abnormal weather conditions. For weather periods that are harsher than normal, a WNAR credit will be applied to the bill. For weather periods that are milder than normal, a WNAR charge will be applied to the bill.

The Missouri Public Service Commission approved our request to stop the direct charge of the convenience fee that is currently applied when Missouri natural gas customers (Empire District Gas) pay their bill using a debit or credit card online or by phone. Beginning August 13, Missouri gas customers who pay their bill with a debit or credit card online or by phone will receive a credit on their bill to reimburse them for the convenience fee. Once payment system upgrades are completed, expected later this year, the direct charge will be waived automatically at the time of payment.  

Liberty is a regulated utility; our rates must be approved by state regulators. Liberty is required to provide every customer in our service area with safe and reliable natural gas service at rates approved by the public service commission of each state. In exchange, the utility is allowed the opportunity (not a guarantee) to earn a fair return for investors. Even though our regulators will ultimately determine any changes to customer rates, we pledge to do our part to keep rates as reasonable as possible.  

We have helpful options that may be right for you including:

• Flexible payment options for residential and business customers to allow for additional time to spread out past due balances and make payments more manageable
• A list of various agencies that may be able to provide financial assistance for some portion of your bill
• Assistance programs that you may qualify for depending on your income and account standing

Our representatives stand ready to help develop a plan that works best for you. Our Contact Center can be reached at 1-800-424-0427 Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.