Electric Department

The City of Odessa’s Power and Light Department is comprised of an electric generation plant and an electric distribution system.

Municipal Power Generation Plant

The current generation plant was originally constructed in 1939. Several additions and changes have been made since that time to accommodate our ever-increasing population. When the plant was first constructed, it supplied all of the power the City of Odessa required. In the 1960s, the city’s electricity needs increased beyond our generation capacity. During that time, the City entered into a contract with Missouri Public Service as our wholesale power supplier. The contract with Missouri Public Service, which has also been known as Utilicorp and Aquila, expired in 2004. In early 2004, the Board of Aldermen asked for bids from several electric suppliers, and received 4 bids. The Board of Aldermen chose the best and lowest bid offered, which was from the MoPEP Power Pool. In April 2004, the City of Odessa began purchasing power from the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC) through the MoPEP Power Pool. The MoPEP Power Pool is not a power supply company, it is a coalition of cities partnering to purchase and develop supplies. In 2007, there were 32 member cities in the MoPEP Power Pool, including Higginsville, Harrisonville, Carrollton and Marshall. The MoPEP Power Pool is non-profit and member-directed, meaning each city has a vote in the decisions made by the MoPEP Power Pool. MJMEUC is authorized by state law to operate as an electric utility for the benefit of the combined requirements of the members. You can learn more about MJMEUC at http://www.mpua.org/about/MJMEUC.asp.

Beat the Summer Heat

Summer Home Energy Efficiency Tips

The bigger the difference between the inside and outside temperatures, the more energy you will use to cool a house. For example, if the outside temperature is 98 degrees and the inside is set at 68 degrees, this 30-degree difference is going to cost! Follow these easy ways to conserve energy to beat the summer heat. 

• Set your thermostat as high as possible while maintaining reasonable comfort levels
• Set your thermostat to 84 when you're away from home
• Replace your AC filter every 3 months or more often if it gets clogged with items like pet hair 
• Block outside air from getting inside by locking windows, closing storm windows and sealing air leaks 
• Avoid heating up your home during the afternoon and early evening to keep your air conditioner from working extra hard to keep you cool
• Keep window shades closed during the day
• Make sure your vents are NOT blocked with furniture, curtains or rugs
• Avoid using heat-producing appliances like ovens and dryers from 3 to 6 PM
• Run washer, dryer and dishwasher only when you have full loads 

Click here to view free and low-cost energy savings tips from Missouri Public Utility Alliance. 

Time of Use Electric Rates & Local Control

Odessa citizens control their own electric rates

New electric rate structures might be coming to Missouri but your hometown utility will choose when and if to adopt them. Currently, The Odessa Electric Department uses a flat rate structure, not Time-of-Use rates. Odessa Electric is regulated locally through elected officials. That means before going to new electric rates, there is a public hearing, and you can weigh in. That is one of the many benefits of owning your own utility.

What is a Time-of-Use Rate (TOU)? A Time-of-Use, or TOU, rate is a way to charge customers different rates for electricity consumption depending on the time of day and day they use the energy. 

How do TOU rates work? With TOU rates, the cost of electricity varies during different time periods based on supply and demand. The goal of TOU rates is to encourage people to shift their electricity usage away from peak hours and towards off-peak hours. Not only does this help reduce the strain on the energy grid, but it also helps save customers money. 

How is the TOU rate different from the flat rate we’ve been using? With a TOU rate, you pay more for using energy during on-peak hours and less for use during off-peak hours. With flat rates, electricity costs the same any time it is used. 

Why would Odessa Electric move to TOU rates? When demand is high and supply is low, the cost of electricity goes up. With TOU rates, the customers that help the utility save money during peak use periods are the ones that reap the benefit of lower costs. Moving to the TOU rate structure and deciding whether it is mandatory can be decided locally. 

How can I save money on TOU rates? With TOU rates, you have more control over your energy bills. When you shift your energy use to off-peak times, you can save because the rates are lower. On a flat rate, all energy costs are the same and the only way to reduce your bill is to use less electricity.