Mo. House mulls allowing utilities to bill customers for some costs of nuclear power permit
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A group of Missouri power companies is urging lawmakers to let them bill electric customers for some costs of developing a second nuclear plant in Callaway County.
The House Utilities Committee considered legislation Tuesday that would allow utilities to recoup the costs of an early site permit. Currently, utilities cannot bill customers for the costs of a new power plant until it goes online.
Supporters say the legislation is needed to make expansion of the Callaway plant an option. Proponents of the billing measure include Gov. Jay Nixon and several labor unions.
However, companies such as Anheuser-Busch and Monsanto and some consumer and environmental groups have concerns.
Under the legislation, the cost of the permit could be added to the electric rates that must be approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission.
