The Harlow Report-GIS
2023 Edition
ISSN 0742-468X
Since 1978
On-line Since 2000
first published week of: 04/03/2023
Bill Allowing Utilities to Charge Upfront Costs to Build Nuclear Plants Advances in Missouri House
by Jason Hancock
The debate had raged in Missouri for more than a decade, with Ameren arguing that doing away with the ban is the only way to ensure it can build a new nuclear power plant in Callaway County, home of the state's only nuclear reactor
The repeal of a nearly 50-year-old voter-approved ban on utilities billing customers for the upfront costs of building nuclear power facilities won initial approval from the Missouri House on Monday.
The legislation, sponsored by Republican Rep. John Black of Marshfield, would allow Missouri utilities to add the cost of a new nuclear plant or renewable energy generator to customers’ rates while they’re under construction.
Missouri’s largest utility company, Ameren, has been attempting to get the ban repealed for more than a decade. Critics of the proposal say the ban was approved by Missouri voters in the 1970s to ensure investor-owned utilities put money into energy supply before charging customers.
Supporter argue that only two states have a complete ban on charging rate payers for “construction work in progress.”” Without a change to Missouri law, building clean energy facilities would be cost prohibitive, they contend.
Read full story at Missouri Independent…