Infrastructure Investment Stressed by Governor
Ameren Missouri's Smart Energy Plan, which includes an additional $1 billion in energy grid investment over the next five years, directly supports the message contained in Missouri Gov. Mike Parson's State of the State address, delivered in mid-January. His two stated priorities as the Missouri Legislature begins its 2019 regular session are to focus on workforce development and stronger infrastructure across the state. “Let me be crystal clear, cultivating and training our workforce for high-demand jobs and investing in critical infrastructure are the priorities we must address this session. But our focus for the state of Missouri to thrive both now and into the future are on two key priorities…workforce development and infrastructure.”
In his address, he praised the work of Missouri-based Quaker Windows. Last fall he participated in a ground breaking for Quaker’s new plant under construction in Eldon. Quaker officials cited the new energy legislation, passed in the 2018 Legislative session, as a contributing factor in the company’s decision to expand its operations in central Missouri.
The new law, now being implemented as Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan, contains an economic development provision that provided Quaker Windows the incentive to build a new plant and hire more workers. The new law also supports an additional one billion dollars in energy grid improvements and infrastructure upgrades over the next five years across Ameren Missouri's service territory.
Implementation of the Smart Energy Plan, which will be officially filed at the Missouri Public Service Commission in the coming weeks, will support the creation of more than three thousand direct and indirect jobs in Missouri. Customers will get a chance to preview the plan in a public meeting in early March.
The governor is optimistic about what is to come. “Missouri will be ready, with the right tools in the toolbox…We’ll be ready to ensure our state will move forward…and ALL Missourians will prosper!”