Deal announced to pursue new nuclear power plant in Mo.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO. (St. Louis Public Radio) – Governor Jay Nixon has announced a deal with energy leaders in Missouri to pursue a second nuclear power plant in the Show-Me State.
Under the agreement, a consortium of utility companies would be allowed to charge consumers for the cost of seeking a site permit for a second nuclear reactor, which would be built at Ameren Missouri’s Callaway County plant. Nixon says, though, that will only happen if the permit is awarded.
“Residential and commercial ratepayers will not pay one penny unless the consortium is awarded that early site permit,” Nixon said at a press conference outside the Governor’s Mansion.
The consortium includes Ameren Missouri (formerly AmerenUE), Kansas City Power & Light, Empire District Electric, Associated Electric Cooperatives Inc., the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, and the Missouri Public Utility Alliance.
The agreement will also require legislative approval. Lawmakers rejected an effort in 2009 to allow exemptions to state law that bar customers from being billed for new power plants while under construction. Nixon says today’s agreement will not tamper with the Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) law.
The new bill will be sponsored by State Senator-elect Mike Kehoe (R, Jefferson City), whose senate district includes the proposed site.
Nixon also says building a second reactor would bring much-needed jobs to Missouri.
“In the early stages of development, a next-generation nuclear power plant will create jobs for engineers, architects, geologists, seismologists, and many others,” Nixon said. “Construction of a second nuclear plant will generate thousands of good-paying jobs for hard-working folks in all our construction trades…iron and sheet medal workers, cement masons and electricians, boilermakers and bricklayers, plumbers and pipefitters.”
-Marshall Griffin
