Missouri First Transmission Act receives hearing in the Missouri Senate

Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee discusses revamped transmission legislation

Members of the Missouri Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and Environment Committee discussed and debated an updated version of the Missouri First Transmission Act. What originally began as a bill giving existing owners of in-state transmission assets the right-of-first refusal on all regional transmission operator-approved transmission projects that connect to their systems was revamped into a measure extending additional property rights to Missourians throughout the state.

The updated version of Senate Bill 568 includes several reforms to the state's eminent domain law. Under the legislation, for the next several years, only rate-regulated utilities and their affiliates can use eminent domain to build transmission projects approved by a regional transmission operator. The measure also bans the use of eminent domain to build solar or wind electric generation facilities.

The Missouri Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee holds a hearing on SB 568, the Missouri First Transmission Act.

"Senate Bill 568 includes several measures designed to protect Missourians' property rights," said Sen. Rusty Black, R-Chillicothe. "Current state law does not protect Missouri's farm and ranch families from private, out-of-state companies from coming into Missouri and using eminent domain to take their land for these transmission projects. This legislation fixes that and reserves the right to use this tool to Missouri rate-regulated utilities and their affiliates. These instate utilities are familiar with our communities and work hand-in-hand with rural Missouri on a daily basis. In addition, the bill encourages utility companies to co-locate these new transmission lines on existing infrastructure, minimizing the impact of these projects on private property."

The legislation includes language encouraging the colocation of new transmission assets with existing infrastructure and other measures designed to control costs within these projects. In addition, SB 568 requires companies building new transmission lines on private land to meet certain agricultural land mitigation standards.

"As a company, Ameren Missouri supports the Missouri First Transmission Act because we care about the property rights of our neighbors and work to keep project costs low, while continuing to invest in the communities we've served for more than 100 years," said Warren Wood, vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs for Ameren Missouri.

Following the May 2 hearing, the committee did not take any further action on the proposal. The 2023 legislative session ends on Friday, May 12.