After Lengthy Wait, Progress for Nuclear Power in Missouri
JEFFERSON CITY – In a positive step for energy and the economy in Missouri, the nuclear site permit bill, legislation to keep nuclear power an option for Missouri passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee today as an amendment to Senate Bill 48, with a 7-2 vote. Chairman Lager and Senators Kehoe, Lembke, Parson, Schaefer, Stouffer and Green all voted in favor. In response, Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future Executive Director Irl L. Scissors released the following statement.
“Thousands of people from across the state have made their voices heard and demonstrated to our lawmakers just how serious Missouri is about keeping nuclear power – and the jobs, economic investment and clean, affordable energy that come with it – an option for our state. And today, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Lager and six other members of the Senate Commerce Committee – who we thank for their leadership – acted in response to that overwhelming public support when they voted in favor of this important legislation.
“While today’s news is welcome and encouraging, our work is not done. Now the responsibility for moving this bill forward falls to Senate Pro Tem Rob Mayer, who has previously delayed this legislation. We urge him to allow this bill to have a fair and open debate and an up or down vote on the Senate floor – and to bring it to a vote soon. Without action from Senate Pro Tem Mayer, nuclear power will no longer be an option in Missouri – we urge him to act in favor of this critical legislation.”
To learn more about Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future, please visit www.moenergyfuture.org. To schedule an interview with Irl Scissors, please contact Kim Carlos at (816) 550-1782.
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