Winter 2022 Update
Greetings MBEF Members,
The holiday season is upon us and I hope there is cheer and joy in your house.
Missouri’s energy future brightens each day as our electric infrastructure becomes more reliable and our energy portfolio continues to diversify, lessening our dependence on foreign energy sources.
A more resilient electric grid
Over the last year, Missouri utilities have been hard at work upgrading our energy grid and creating new ways to generate energy from sources inside Missouri.
This DailyEnergyInsider article describes improvements related to Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan: “Thanks to incentives enabled by Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan, 16 businesses announced plans to move to or expand operations in Missouri in 2022, bringing with them more than $450 million in capital investment and nearly 1,000 new jobs.”
Electric Vehicles and Economic Development
Not only is our grid getting stronger and smarter, but the energy sector continues to power our economy. International companies are coming to Missouri creating jobs and building facilities to power the world’s future.
Recently, ICL, an international manufacturer, announced an investment in St. Louis of over $200 million to manufacture lithium iron phosphate, which is a primary component in electric vehicle batteries. The electric vehicle industry continues to grow exponentially and Missouri will be at the forefront of the latest technology that powers them.
Over in Kansas City, Ford recently announced that its Claycomo plant will add 1,100 jobs and invest $95 million in their plant to produce electric delivery vans.
Solar Expansion
Solar energy continues to be a rapidly expanding energy source as utilities and private companies make rooftop solar more accessible to residential consumers and small businesses. Community solar programs are popping up across the state in both urban and suburban neighborhoods.
Rural areas of Missouri are beginning to grapple with the concept that some landowners and farmers, instead of crops, now look to harvest the sun via large scale solar development. The state of Missouri put together a task force to address the issue and recommend a path forward so that rural communities and solar development can continue responsibly.
Baby, it’s cold outside
As the winter months put the squeeze on our efforts to warm our homes and fuel our cars, trucks, and farm equipment, please remember the Missouri Public Service Commission has links and tips to our local utilities that provide information on how to weatherize your home and/or save money on your utility bills.
Hello 2023
The 2023 legislative session begins just after the new year. We need your voice to move our energy future forward. Stay tuned for more updates and ways you can engage your legislators to let them know you support Missouri’s ongoing effort to generate more clean energy while building a safe and reliable electric grid.
May you all have a safe and wonderful holiday season. Cheers.
