Wal-Mart doesn't want Missouri's largest electric customer to get a lower utility bill from Ameren Missouri.
Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. is seeking about a 25 percent reduction in the rate Ameren charges at its aluminum smelter in the southeastern Missouri town of New Madrid.
Wal-Mart filed a motion opposing the reduction Friday with the Missouri Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities.
In its filing, Wal-Mart says a lower rate for Noranda could increase its own electric bills. Wal-Mart operates 73 stores in Missouri that consume a combined 190 million kilowatts per hour in electricity.
Noranda says Ameren is overcharging and that lowering its rate would only increase other customers' bills by 1.8 percent or less. Ameren disagrees and says it will fight the rate reduction.
