Utilitizing Our Power
Today people talk a lot about the new world of utilities, the need for green energy, and the ongoing repercussions of deregulation.
An investor-owned utility is a publicly traded, for profit, corporate utility regulated. There’s a lot to learn about investor-owned utility companies and what they do for us.
In Missouri all investor-owned utilities are regulated by the Public Service Commission (PSC), whereas an electric cooperative is a not-for-profit, unregulated member-owned business established to supply electricity to their member-owners, and a municipal utility is any municipality owning and operating its own utility.
MUSA's Resource Center is here to help you learn more about the utility industry in Missouri.
Missouri Legislative Leaders
Missouri Senate
Republican Majority
President Pro Tem: Michael Gibbons
Majority Floor Leader: Charlie Shields
Asst. Majority Floor Leader: Jack Goodman
Caucus Chair: Luann Ridgeway
Caucus Secretary: Delbert Scott
Majority Whip: Kevin Engler
Democrat Minority
Minority Leader: Maida Coleman
Asst. Minority Leader: Chuck Graham
Caucus Chair: Frank Barnitz
Caucus Secretary: Yvonne Wilson Missouri House Republican Majority
Speaker: Rod Jetton
Speaker Pro Tem: Carl Bearden
Majority Floor Leader: Steven Tilley
Asst. Maj. Floor Leader: Tom Self
Majority Whip: Brian Nieves
Caucus Chair: Bob Dixon
Caucus Secretary: Marilyn Ruestman
Democrat Minorityv Minority Leader: Paul LeVota
Asst. Minority Leader: J.C. Kuessner
Minority Whip: Connie Johnson
Caucus Chair: Ed Wildberger
Caucus Vice-Chair: Gina Walsh
Caucus Secretary: Sara Lampe
Links
Missouri State Government Links
Missouri Public Service Commission Links
United State Government Links
Nuclear Energy
Power
How do I read my utility bill?
Each utility company's bill is unique, so the best way to find out how to read your particular utility company's bill is by checking their Web site.
Here are links to various company's "How to Read My Bill" information.
Did You Know...
A kilowatt hour is the amount of electricity used to keep a 50-watt bulb burning for 20 hours.
The term "one pound" mean refers to the amount of coal it takes to produce one kilowatt-hour of electricity.
A Btu—British Thermal Unit—refers to the amount of energy required to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. A kitchen match has about one Btu of energy. Of course, adding a pot to hold the water will require the use of more matches.
Thomas Alva Edison perfected the incandescent light bulb? in 1879, the year which marks the unofficial beginning of the world of electricity.
The first power plant in the US, the Pearl Street Station in New York City, opened in 1882.
Today, a recent study showed that 67% of Americans supported the construction of nuclear power plants. Nuclear energy is a safe, effective energy option because
- it produces no greenhouse gases or air emissions
- currently provides more than 70% of the U.S.'s emission-free energy
- in one year alone, it prevented carbon dioxide emissions equal to taking 96% of all passenger cars off US roadways
- 439 nuclear plants worldwide provide 15% of world's electricity
- In 2007 US nuclear energy production cost only 1.76¢/kilowat-hour compared to coal (2.47¢), natural gas (6.7¢), and oil (10.26¢).