MBEF: Missed Opportunity for Missouri Jobs
Two-Thirds of Missourians Oppose Deeply Reduced Electric Rates for Large Industrial Users
JEFFERSON CITY – Today, despite widespread support from a large bipartisan majority of members of the Senate, the nuclear site permit bill was derailed on the floor of the Missouri Senate when the bill was ruled out of order by Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer. The legislation would keep open the option for new nuclear power in Missouri – which could be our best option for keeping electric rates low in the future – while providing unprecedented consumer protections for Missouri ratepayers. Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future Executive Director Irl L. Scissors released the following statement.
“We are deeply disappointed that Senate President Pro Tem Mayer missed the opportunity to move this important legislation forward. Hundreds of Missourians visited the Capitol and spoke directly to their legislators in support of this important legislation. Thousands more have called, emailed or written legislators, urging them to support the nuclear site permit bill. And, in large part, the Missouri General Assembly has listened to the will of their constituents.
“Due to the hard work and leadership of Sen. Mike Kehoe, Rep. Jeanie Riddle and others, a tremendous coalition of support has been built inside and outside of the Capitol. If and when this bill comes to the floor of the House and Senate for a fair up or down vote, it has the wide support it needs to pass, and Gov. Jay Nixon has said he will sign it.
“There is still time to preserve the option of nuclear power for Missouri’s energy consumers, keeping the potential for clean, affordable energy, thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic activity. We hope that our legislators will do everything they can to bring this legislation to Gov. Nixon’s desk by the end of the session.”
To learn more about this issue or to schedule an interview with Irl Scissors, please contact Kim George at (816) 550-1782.
