Missouri House of Representatives approves Power Predictability and Reliability Act

Legislation encourages investment in reliable, on-demand electric generation

By a vote of 119 - 17, the members of the Missouri House of Representatives put their stamp of approval on House Bill 1746. A wide-ranging utility bill, the legislation includes a proposal, known as the Power Predictability and Reliability Act, designed to remove barriers to investment when in-state utility companies decide to build new, on-demand natural gas power plants and energy storage systems in Missouri. Since the last natural gas generation plant was brought online in the state in 2015, more than 40 power-generating assets have been retired by utility companies throughout the Show-Me State.

Under the legislation approved by the Missouri House, the Missouri Public Service Commission would still have the ability to determine if a project is a reasonable means of meeting the state's needs and interests and to ensure the project is executed in a prudent manner. If a company meets these standards and decides to move forward with building a qualifying power plant, the legislation is designed to provide a level of security for utility companies when it comes to investing hundred of millions of dollars in new, reliable and on-demand energy generation in the state.

"Thoughtfully integrating a new, diverse mix of generation sources while maintaining the availability of our existing energy centers through retirement is essential for a reliable, resilient and affordable clean energy future," said Mark Birk, chairman and president of Ameren Missouri. "By making smart investments in an environmentally responsible way, we’re strengthening the energy grid without compromising on affordability."

"In my district, I had a business ready to break ground on new construction in my community, but they decided not to build in the Kansas City-area because we could not provide enough power to meet their needs," said Rep. Josh Hurlbert, R-Smithville. "We have several businesses circling the Kansas City-area wanting to build and expand, but we don't have the energy generation to meet their needs. Bottom line, this language allows consumers to continue to have access to reliable power, while providing a way for the state's utility companies to meet the needs of business owners and job creators looking to grow and expand throughout our state."

In addition, HB 1746 contains several other utility-related proposals. The legislation includes language designed to prepare Missouri's utility workforce for jobs in skilled craft, engineering and other STEM-related fields. Under the workforce development proposal, electric, gas and water utilities would be able to recover investments made directly to educational institutions or students related to programs or courses that provide education or training in skilled crafts, STEM disciplines or other vocations necessary to supporting these utilities.

"This legislation creates a path for more dollars to flow into pre-employment education for these important fields," said Rep. Doyle Justus. "With a rapidly changing job market focused on computers and online skills, it is important to remember that we need skilled workers to keep our infrastructure modernized and maintained. For our state to succeed and move forward, we must have enough skilled workers to ensure the lights stay on and the gas and water stays flowing."

After receiving bipartisan support in the Missouri House, HB 1746 now moves to the Missouri Senate for further consideration.