The Missouri Public Service Commission is scheduled to hold two public hearings in February to receive customer comment in a natural gas rate case filed by The Empire District Gas Company d/b/a Liberty.

On August 23, 2021, Liberty filed a natural gas rate case with the Missouri Public Service Commission seeking an increase in its base distribution revenues of approximately $1.36 million.

The public hearings scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, February 17, and noon on Tuesday, February 22, will be conducted virtually by WebEx and telephone conference. The hearings are also scheduled to be streamed live on the Commission’s website (psc.mo.gov).

According to a news release, to attend the virtual public hearing by telephone, at the time of the hearing, call toll-free 1 (855) 718-6621, listen to the prompt and enter the meeting number (access code) set out below, followed by # (pound/hashtag symbol). If prompted for a password, enter 0320.

To participate by video/Internet, visit the website www.webex.com. You can also download the Cisco WebEx meetings application on your mobile device, laptop, desktop or tablet prior to the hearing and join the meeting at the hearing time by entering the corresponding access code and password listed below.

To facilitate an orderly presentation that can be preserved for the record, members of the public who wish to provide statements at the virtual public hearing, need to sign-up by sending their first and last name, phone number, email address and the hearing that they wish to attend to pscinfo@psc.mo.gov or by calling 1 (800)392-4211 by 5 p.m. the day before the hearing.

Officials say comments at the hearings will be limited to five minutes per person.

A PSC Staff conducted question and answer session will be held at the beginning of each virtual public hearing. The formal virtual public hearing will begin at the conclusion of the question and answer session. Each virtual public hearing may need an access code:

• February 17 (6 p.m.); Access Code: 2458 344 2289 | Password: 0320
• February 22 (Noon); Access Code: 2451 816 5889  |Password: 0320

Individuals wishing to mail comments are urged to send them to the Missouri Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 360, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. They can also be sent electronically using the Commission’s electronic filing system at https://psc.mo.gov/General/Submit_Comments. When submitting comments, refer to File No. GR-2021-0320.

Liberty provides natural gas service to Chariton, Cooper, Howard, Johnson, Lafayette, Pettis and Saline counties in the KMMO listening area.