Missouri Public Service Commission

The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) is a five-member state regulatory board that oversees investor-owned electric, natural gas, steam, water, and sewer utilities ^[1][1] Missouri Public Service Commission. "About the PSC." psc.mo.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://psc.mo.gov/. It also regulates the state's telecommunications providers and ensures the operational safety of rural electric cooperatives and municipal gas systems ^[4][4] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Information Guide Missouri Public Service Commission." mo.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/Publications/Information%20Guide%20Missouri%20Public%20Service%20Commission.pdf. The PSC derives its authority from Chapter 386 of the Missouri Revised Statutes ^[2][2] Ballotpedia. "Missouri Public Service Commission." ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_Public_Service_Commission. Commissioners are appointed by the Governor of Missouri with the advice and consent of the State Senate to serve staggered six-year terms ^[2][2] Ballotpedia. "Missouri Public Service Commission." ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_Public_Service_Commission. The commission functions as a quasi-judicial and quasi-legislative body to balance the interests of the public and utility shareholders ^[4][4] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Information Guide Missouri Public Service Commission." mo.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/Publications/Information%20Guide%20Missouri%20Public%20Service%20Commission.pdf. For Fiscal Year 2024, the PSC operated with a budget of approximately $18.5 million and a staff of over 200 professionals ^[2][2] Ballotpedia. "Missouri Public Service Commission." ballotpedia.org, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://ballotpedia.org/Missouri_Public_Service_Commission.

Historical Background

The Missouri General Assembly created the PSC on April 15, 1913, through the Public Service Commission Law ^[3][3] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Celebrating 100 Years | Missouri Public Service Commission." mo.gov, 16 April 2025, https://psc.mo.gov/Content/Celebrating100Years. This legislation replaced the Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners, which had regulated railroads since 1875 ^[4][4] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Information Guide Missouri Public Service Commission." mo.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://psc.mo.gov/CMSInternetData/Publications/Information%20Guide%20Missouri%20Public%20Service%20Commission.pdf. Governor Elliott Major advocated for the commission to ensure reasonable utility rates and professional oversight ^[3][3] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Celebrating 100 Years | Missouri Public Service Commission." mo.gov, 16 April 2025, https://psc.mo.gov/Content/Celebrating100Years. Over the decades, its mandate expanded to include motor carriers in 1927, private sewer systems in 1967, and manufactured housing safety in 1973 ^[3][3] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Celebrating 100 Years | Missouri Public Service Commission." mo.gov, 16 April 2025, https://psc.mo.gov/Content/Celebrating100Years. A significant historical shift occurred in 1976 when Missouri voters prohibited utilities from charging for construction work in progress (CWIP) after costs spiked at the Callaway Nuclear Generating Station ^[6][6] Wikipedia. "Missouri Public Service Commission." wikipedia.org, 20 October 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Public_Service_Commission. However, a 2025 law signed by Governor Mike Kehoe recently modified these restrictions for specific high-energy users ^[6][6] Wikipedia. "Missouri Public Service Commission." wikipedia.org, 20 October 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Public_Service_Commission.

Current Events

As of March 28, 2026, the Missouri Public Service Commission remains under the leadership of Chair Kayla Hahn ^[1][1] Missouri Public Service Commission. "About the PSC." psc.mo.gov, Accessed: 2026-03-28, https://psc.mo.gov/. The commission has managed several high-profile rate cases and procedural filings throughout early 2026 ^[7][7] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Press Releases." psc.mo.gov, 11 March 2026, https://psc.mo.gov/General/Press_Releases. On March 11, 2026, the PSC set an intervention deadline for Missouri-American Water Company regarding its Water and Sewer Infrastructure Rate Adjustment (WSIRA) requests ^[7][7] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Press Releases." psc.mo.gov, 11 March 2026, https://psc.mo.gov/General/Press_Releases. In February 2026, the commission approved a significant agreement regarding Ameren Missouri’s Big Hollow Certificate of Convenience and Necessity ^[7][7] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Press Releases." psc.mo.gov, 11 March 2026, https://psc.mo.gov/General/Press_Releases. The PSC also established a local public hearing schedule for Liberty Utilities' request for a new certificate in March 2026 ^[7][7] Missouri Public Service Commission. "Press Releases." psc.mo.gov, 11 March 2026, https://psc.mo.gov/General/Press_Releases. These actions follow a major 2025 regulatory shift where the federal government assumed oversight of Missouri’s natural gas pipelines due to state noncompliance ^[6][6] Wikipedia. "Missouri Public Service Commission." wikipedia.org, 20 October 2025, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Public_Service_Commission.