Kehoe: SMR project could create thousands of boots-on-the-ground jobs
Budget Passed, Work Remains
On Tuesday night, the senate approved its version of the state’s 2013 operating budget. The budget process is lengthy, arduous, and difficult but it is a constitutional responsibility of great significance. With the passage of these budget bills early Wednesday morning, the budget process now moves to conference where members of the house and senate meet to reconcile the differences between the two budget versions.
The 2013 budget passed by the senate is not perfect, just as no budget ever will be. However, it is a budget that balances priorities in a fiscally responsible manner. I would prefer that some line-items be higher and that some line-items be lower, but I am pleased with the work that Senator Schaeffer and the members of the appropriations committee completed over thousands of man-hours. The committee, with Senator Schaefer’s leadership, did its job and brought a balanced budget to the floor. Unfortunately, several amendments were added on the floor, outside the appropriations process, putting the budget slightly out of balance. Restoring this balance, and reconciling the differences between the house and senate versions, will be done in conference. I look forward to the President Pro Tem, Senator Mayer, working hand-in-hand with Senator Schaefer to appoint conference committee members that can efficiently and effectively work with the house conference committee to send a final budget to the governor ahead of the constitutional deadline.
I have been part of many conversations since last Thursday’s announcement of the partnership between Westinghouse and Missouri’s Utility Alliance to advance Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology at the current Callaway site. Almost all of these conversations, if not all of them, have been overwhelmingly positive. All across Missouri people understand that this is a project that will create thousands of boots-on-the-ground jobs in central Missouri and in industries across the state. Additionally, the 24/7 base-load power produced will go a long way toward ensuring Missouri’s energy security. Quite frankly, the preponderance of the negative comments I have heard and read have been from the Editorial Board of the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Generally speaking, if the Editorial Board is opposed to it, I am for it. The Editorial Board and radical environmentalists have a mindset and perception of reality which is divorced from the traditional values and recognized needs of Missourians across the state.
By virtue of the partnership between Westinghouse and the Utility Alliance, and the pursuit of Department of Energy funding, legislation such as SB759 and others that contain ESP language are no longer necessary during this legislative session. Accordingly, rate-payers will not have to pay more to meet the state’s renewable energy requirements. Tax-payers will also save money by ensuring that there will not be a dramatic increase (approximately 400%) in the budget for a state office that has consistently chosen to represent the interests of large industrial businesses over residential, agricultural, and small-business rate-payers.
The closing weeks of the legislature always generate a great deal of legislative activity. This isn’t a bad thing, but it is important to tackle the right topics as time winds down. Legislation dealing with education and improving Missouri’s jobs climate are of critical importance and I look forward to the legislature addressing both of these issues in substantive ways.
I am in this office to serve the constituents of the 6th Senatorial District. Please contact us at (573) 751-2076 if my office or I can be of any assistance to you or if you have any questions.
