Missouri lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow utilities to raise customers' rates every year with less control by regulators.
Proponents of the measure said the increases will be more predictable and subject to yearly limits.
The Kansas City Star reports that opponents said customers would almost be guaranteed an increase every year and that the bill's yearly limits likely wouldn't protect consumers.
Utilities have long had to submit detailed rate requests and justify their costs to the Public Service Commission, which then has granted what the commission thought were "reasonable and just" rates, usually covering some but not all of the request.
The new proposal would allow utilities to choose to submit such expenses for the past year, unless the regulators proved the costs "imprudent."
