Springfield, Missouri The Official Economic Development Site for the Springfield Metro Region

Business Utilities

Utilities are a vital part of business operation. With a publicly owned utility company, Springfield City Utilities, and the City of Springfield working together, utility costs in Springfield are 25% below the national average.

Utility Service Map of Springfield

Sample Business Utility Bills

Large Industrial Customer

(13 months)

	Quantity Used	Average Monthly Bill
Gas	2,903 therms	$1,055.86
Water	567.76 cubic feet	$672.98
Electric	1,313,200 kWh	$46,678.02

 

Large Commercial Customer

(13 months)

	Quantity Used	Average Monthly Bill
Gas	1,180 therms	$461.88
Water	251.6 cubic feet	$1,102.73
Electric	393,600	$14,318.50

Source: City Utilities of Springfield, Economic Development 2001

Electric, Gas, Water and Sewer Information

Electric

City Utilities, the local provider of natural gas, water, electric and transportation services, operates two coal-fired generation plants that serve the Springfield area.

CU is part of the national power grid through contracts with Southwestern Power Administration and with Grand River Dam Authority, and has an alliance with The Energy Authority (TEA) to buy and sell power on the wholesale market. City Utilities also has in place an energy supply contract with Western Resources (KCP&L) in 2001.

Current operating capacity is 700 Megawatts, served by 39 substations having a redundancy in operation. Adding generating capacity will result from combustine turbines were operational in the Spring of 2002.

• 80/20 fuel generation mix of low sulfur and high BTU blend for fewer emissions
• Off-peak discounts (from 11 p.m. to 8 a.m., weekdays) is offered for industrial customers
• No scheduled electric rate increase
• AA Bond Rating
• Fuel cost adjustments are made on a bi-yearly basis. Generating and distribution systems deliver at more than 99% reliability.

Natural Gas

City Utilities provides customers with natural gas in greater Springfield, including Greene County and parts of Christian County. Gas is delivered to Springfield through underground pipelines that transport it to CU's distribution system. Two long-term natural gas supply contracts are in place. Substantial purchase made in spot market when economically beneficial.

• Capacity is 125,000 mmbtu compared with a peak of 118,626 mmbtu.
• 34 large industrial customers currently on interruptible supply rate. Available discounts are substantial if criteria for interruptions are met.
• Purchased gas storage with Williams Natural Gas; firm transmission contract with Williams Gas Pipeline.
• No recent shortages or interruptions to natural gas customers.

Water

• CU provides more than 30 million gallons of water everyday, serving its 68,000 customers through two lakes, a water pipeline and several wells on its system.
• Water is treated at two major facilities.
• Current water supplies are adequate to meet demand well into the 21st century.

Sewer

Sanitary sewers are available to approximately 94% of the existing developments in the City of Springfield. While the remaining 6% of the City is currently without public sewers, City Council adopted the following priority in 1994: "Complete sanitary sewer system to cover 100% of City."

Visit the Department of Public Works sewer website.