Filing Requirements for Water Utility Rate Schedules

PURPOSE: This rule prescribes the form and procedures for filing and publishing schedules of rates of all water utilities under the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission. (1) Every water corporation engaged in the furnishing or distribution of water for domestic or other beneficial use in the state of Missouri is directed not later than October 15, 1913, to have on file with this commission and keep open for public inspection, schedules showing all rates and charges in connection with the service or whatever nature made by these water corporations for each and every kind of service which it renders as were in force on April 15, 1913, together with proper supplements covering all changes in the rate schedules authorized by this commission, if any, since April 15, 1913. (2) All the rate schedules now on file with the commission not in accordance with these rules shall be issued in the form and manner prescribed by this rule and all rate schedules issued after April 15, 1913, must conform to this rule. (3) Rate schedules shall be drawn up substantially in accordance with Form No. 13 and shall be plainly printed or typewritten on good quality of paper of size eight and one-half inches by eleven inches (8 1/2" × 11") in book, sheet or pamphlet form. A loose-leaf plan may be used so changes can be made by reprinting and inserting a single leaf. When the loose-leaf plan is used, all sheets, except the title page sheet, must show in the marginal space at top of page the name of the water corporation issuing, the PSC number of the schedule and the number of the page. In the marginal space at bottom of the sheet, should be shown: the date of issue, the effective date and the name, title and address of the officer by whom the schedule is issued. All schedules shall bear a number with the prefix PSC Mo. _____. Schedules shall be numbered in consecutive serial order beginning with number 1 for each water corporation. If a schedule or part thereof is canceled, a new schedule or part thereof (sheet or sheets if loose-leaf) will refer to the schedule canceled by its PSC number; thus, PSC Mo. No. _____ canceling PSC Mo. No. _____. (4) Each schedule shall be accompanied by a letter of transmittal, in duplicate if receipt is desired, which shall be prepared consistent with the format designated by the commission. (5) All proposed changes in rates, charges or rentals or in rules that affect rates, charges or rentals, filed with the commission shall be accompanied by a brief summary, approximately one hundred (100) words or less, of the effect of the change on the company’s customers. A copy of any proposed change and summary shall also be served on the public counsel and be available for public inspection and reproduction during regular office hours at the general business office of the utility. (6) Thirty (30) days’ notice to the commission is required as to every publication relating to water rates or service except where publications are made effective on less than statutory notice by permission, regulation or requirement of the commission. (7) Except as is otherwise provided, no schedule or supplement will be accepted for filing unless it is delivered to the commission free from all charges or claims for postage, the full thirty (30) days required by law before the date upon which such schedule or supplement is stated to be effective. No consideration will be given to or for the time during which a schedule or supplement may be held by the post office authorities because of insufficient postage. When a schedule or a supplement is issued and as to which the commission is not given the statutory notice, it is as if it had not been issued and a full statutory notice must be given of any reissuance. No consideration will be given to telegraphic notices in computing the required thirty (30) days’ notice. In such cases the schedule will be returned to the sender and correction of the neglect or omission cannot be made which takes into account any time elapsing between the date upon which such schedule or supplement was received and the date of the attempted correction. For rate schedules and supplements issued on short notice under special permission of the commission, literal compliance with the requirements or notice named in any order, regulation or permission granted by the commission will be exacted. AUTHORITY: sections 386.250 and 393.140, RSMo 2000.* This rule originally filed as 4 CSR 240-3.645. Original rule filed Aug. 16, 2002, effective April 30, 2003. Moved to 20 CSR 4240-3.645, effective Aug. 28, 2019. *Original authority: 386.250, RSMo 1939, amended 1963, 1967, 1977, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 393.140, RSMo 1939, amended 1949, 1967.