Ameren Missouri supports the Power Predictability and Reliability Act
Legislation encourages investment in reliable, on-demand electric generation
With the First Regular Session of the 103rd General Assembly underway in Jefferson City, Ameren Missouri encourages lawmakers to support the Power Predictability and Reliability Act. To ensure utility companies can continue to meet the needs of their customers and maintain Missouri's status as an attractive and affordable place to do business, this legislation aims to reduce the disincentives energy companies face when investing in new, on-demand power plants and energy storage systems.
Ameren Missouri encourages policymakers to consider legislation reshaping the state's regulatory processes to promote policies to foster new, dispatchable generation in the Show-Me State.
"With power-usage rates expected to set record highs throughout our country in the coming years, now is the time to act to ensure Missouri's electric utility companies can continue to meet the needs of our state's citizens and its businesses," said Warren Wood, vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs for Ameren Missouri. "This legislation is about more than just access to reliable electricity; it's also about economic development and ensuring Missouri continues to be an attractive and affordable place to do business."
According to the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the state has several business-related projects in its planning pipeline requiring more than a gigawatt of power each. These projects represent the potential of thousands of new jobs and billions of dollars of investment in the Show-Me State. Missouri's ability to supply these projects and others with access to reliable energy will be critical to maintaining the state's status as an attractive place to do business.
Under the legislation, the Missouri Public Service Commission would still have broad authority 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, the legislation is designed to provide a level of regulatory certainty and security for utility companies when it comes to investing hundreds of millions, or in some cases billions, of dollars in new dispatchable generation in the state.
"Missouri law shouldn't disincentivize the state's utility companies from building reliable and on-demand generation — it should support these investments to move our state forward," said Wood.
Several lawmakers prefiled legislation containing the Power Predictability and Reliability Act before the legislative session began on Jan. 8. Those measures include Senate Bill 6, Senate Bill 51, House Bill 445, House Bill 569 and House Bill 713.