In awarding an electric utility more than $260 million in rate relief, Missouri Public Service Commission explained that the utility, Union Electric dba Ameren Missouri, had demonstrated that its earnings had been deteriorating and that absent additional revenues it would be unable to maintain its system or invest in badly needed facility expansions and improvements. It approved a rate of return on equity of 9.8 percent as opposed to the 10.50-percent level suggested by the company.

In a natural gas rate case, the Michigan Public Service Commission permitted Michigan Consolidated Gas (MichCon) to increase its base rates by $19.9 million, or 2 percent. The new rates were in accord with a partial settlement that trimmed the company’s original rate increase request of $76.7 million by almost three-fourths. The company stipulated to a 10.5-percent ROE.

In a pair of rate proceedings resolved by settlement, the Kentucky Public Service Commission approved rate increases for Kentucky Utilities (KU) and Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E). The KU agreement allows the utility to raise its rates by $51 million, compared to its application for an $82.4 million increase. The LG&E settlement provides $33.7 million in additional electric revenues and $15 million in additional natural gas revenues.

Finding that the cutting-edge technology proposed to be used by a wind power developer in constructing an offshore wind energy facility could improve both the state’s economy and its demographics, the Maine Public Utilities Commission authorized the developer, Statoil North America, to proceed with its plans for the pilot project. The commission reported that the most intriguing aspect of the developer’s plan was its reliance on a novel “spar buoy” design that would make the Hywind Maine project the country’s first offshore floating wind farm.