Well, it seems Empire Electric is strapped for cash once again. Gosh darn it all. After grabbing a whopping 13.4 percent increase in September, the company is looking for another 9.2 percent. This rate increase would not become effective until mid 2011 if approved. The overall yearly increase would represent a hike of 22.6%. According to Empire officials, the increase is needed to cover the cost of the construction costs of a new plant in Platte County.
They also want to continue the use of a fuel adjustment clause that would allow them to increase the rates they can charge twice a year on June 1st and December 1st. These increases would be tied to increases in the cost of fuel used to run the generators.
