Official Responses From Cooldownstlouis.org Officials On Maida Coleman’s Appointment

“We are pleased with the appointment of former Missouri State Senator Maida Coleman to the Missouri Public Service Commission. It sends a positive message throughout the state of Missouri by Governor Jay Nixon, considering that the commission recently gave itself a black-eye when the majority voted against all Missouri ratepayers providing a billion-dollar corporation like Noranda, an electric rate decrease, when we and Ameren Missouri opposed it.

Coleman served on the Heatupstlouis.org (Cooldownstlouis.org) board of directors with distinction; compassion and diligence while a member of the Missouri legislature. As a MO legislature she sponsored the “Hot Weather Rule,” a companion to the “Cold Weather Rule,” that prevents utilities from disconnecting service of needy residential customers during summer weather extremes. Coleman appears to understand that there is a balancing act between affordability of utilities and ensuring that utility companies remain in business.

This is the third year, Missouri Public Service Commission will co-partner the 3rd Annual Heatupstlouis.org Winterizing Utility Forum in October; educating ratepayers of their rights; while weatherization, energy efficiency and utility assistance efforts are being co-sponsored in part by Ameren Missouri and others.”

The Rev. Earl E. Nance, Jr., board chair emeritus and Gentry W. Trotter, founder and interim executive director, Heatupstlouis.org (Cooldownstlouis.org)