The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) plans to investigate possibly reining in gas price volatility by allowing retail customers to sign fixed-price bills. The PSC will hold a roundtable discussion on the issue on Jan. 24.

“Extraordinarily high natural gas prices in the winter of 2000-2001 and price volatility since that winter have prompted a number of parties to express an interest in fixed bill programs,” said Warren Wood, PSC energy department manager. “Some customers are interested in fixing their bills for budget and/or convenience reasons while others just know they cannot afford their energy bills if they go above a certain level.”

Wood noted that fixed bill programs differ from budget billing programs in that customers under a fixed bill program have a flat bill for 12 months at a time and are not subject to “true-up” balances at the end of their 12 months. “Several states have implemented fixed bill programs,” Wood noted.

The PSC led roundtable will begin at 1:00 p.m. in the Governor Office Building in Jefferson City and is scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m.

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