Gas customers struggle with recalculated level-payment bills

By DONNA McGUIRE - The Kansas City Star Date: 07/19/01 23:04

Here it is, the midst of a stifling July, and many low-income Kansas Citians can't shake last winter's chill.

Their problem: natural-gas bills.

The situation worsened this month in Missouri after Missouri Gas Energy recalculated what customers owed through level-payment plans.

Under such plans, customers pay flat monthly fees based on the average of their 24 previous bills. This winter, those fees failed to cover escalating gas costs. Rates were recalculated this month -- causing some customers' bills to double or triple.

As a result, agencies that help low-income people pay utility bills are running low on money, even as they brace for what remains to come: high electric bills from the current heat wave.

On Thursday, three persons who owe gas bills of nearly $1,000 each sought assistance at Metropolitan Lutheran Ministry's office on Holmes Street. Each owes more than his or her total monthly income.

In Independence and Lee's Summit, agencies report that they are struggling to find enough assistance money.

"We're afraid we'll face a crisis this fall, because we've been giving out so much funding (this summer)," said Geneva High, director of Lee's Summit Social Services, which has been receiving more calls than normal.

Nearly 53,000 people, or one in nine of Missouri Gas Energy's customers, have overdue bills, spokesman Paul Snider said Thursday. They owe $17 million combined -- or an average of $320 each.

Customers are being encouraged to pay at least half their overdue amounts now so they can pay off their bills before fall.

"It's important if anyone has overdue bills, they need to be proactive and call us," Snider said. "Don't wait for disconnection notices."

The company will work out payment plans, he said. Customers can call (816) 756-5252 for information.

In Kansas, Kansas Gas Service is visiting about 600 customers a day about overdue bills. Service to about three-fourths is being shut off, spokesman Steve Johnson said. Customers whose bills are past due owe the company about $19 million -- nearly five times as much as at this time last summer. The company serves much of the eastern two-thirds of the state.

Beverly Sheldon, the executive director of the Community Services League in Independence, is hoping for a reprieve from the heat and humidity.

"If not, we won't be able to help some very deserving people," she said.

Insulated by clouds, northern sections of the metropolitan area enjoyed something of a reprieve through early afternoon Thursday. At 2 p.m., Kansas City International Airport registered 85 degrees, while in Pleasant Hill it was 92.

Yet by 5 p.m., the entire area sweltered. With humidity figured in, it felt like 107 degrees at KCI and 108 in downtown Kansas City.

Thursday's high was 90 at KCI, 93 at Johnson County Executive Airport and 94 at Downtown Airport.

The possibility of lingering storms this morning and early afternoon won't help much. The temperature is to climb into the mid-90s. It will feel like 105 to 110 degrees, National Weather Service meteorologist Greg Koch said.

Hot and humid conditions are expected to continue this weekend, with temperatures in the 90s both days.

The last two weeks of July and the first two in August typically are Kansas City's hottest, Koch said.

The Star's Natalie Baughman contributed to his report.

To reach Donna McGuire, call (816) 234-4393 or send e-mail to dmcguire@kcstar.com.

http://www.kcstar.com/item/pages/local.pat,local/3accd5a2.719,.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), July 21, 2001