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Competition for your electric dollar may become a reality in Missouri

For almost five months, lawmakers and lobbyists have been holding intense meetings to decide whether Missouri should pass a law allowing electric competition. Today, we're beginning a three part series on an electric issue affecting everyone's pocketbooks.

From the Capitol, Rebecca Sapakie tells us how competition for your utility dollar will work.

Missouri's Energy Division says that a household's utility bill is one of its top monthly expenses.

Mark Palmer is a spokesman for ENRON, a nationaly based company that buys and sells electricity and advocates allowing competition. He says, the average family could slice 30-40 percent off their energy bills over time, if Missouri decides to deregulate utilities.

Actuality:Mark Palmer
RunTime: 12
OutCue: ...long distance service.
Contents: [130K WAV file - It's about consumers being able to choose when and how to use their electricity.]

The choice Palmer talks about could include things like specialized meters to inform customers of the cheapest times to run their washer or dryer.

And besides being able to choose their own provider, consumers could begin making choices like where their power comes from. Some companies, like ENRON, can provide wind and solar power alternatives instead of coal or nuclear plants.

So, if competition will save you money, why is Missouri not amoung the 14 other states who have already passed legislation allowing it?

Well, some fear that because Missouri's electricity costs are already below the national average, competition may in fact mean higher prices.

Bob Jackson is a spokesman for a Missouri advocacy group for low income people.

Actuality:Bob Jackson
RunTime: 14
OutCue: ...will hold prices.
Contents: [143K WAV file - Prices will go up even if in order to make a deal electric companies will hold prices in the short term.]

Jackson warns consumers that competition means paying customers get service. He's concerned that a customer who has to occasionally miss a payment may see their lights go out in a competitive market.

That will be the subject of the next report.

I'm Rebecca Sapakie in Jefferson City.