Renewable Energy Ballot Proposal Requires Families and Small Businesses to Subsidize Electric Rates for Big Corporations
A coalition of big industrial corporations and environmental groups filed language late last week for a proposed ballot initiative that would revise the state’s plan for developing renewable energy sources while shifting the costs of developing these sources off of big corporations and onto families and small businesses. The proposal, submitted to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, would allow big industrial corporations such as Noranda Aluminum, Monsanto and Ford Motor Company to avoid paying their fair share of renewable energy costs and instead require families and small businesses to pick up the tab.
“This proposal requires families and small businesses to subsidize the electric rates paid by the big industrial corporations,” said Irl Scissors, executive director of Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future. “Missouri needs to move forward with developing renewable energy, but big corporations should pay their fair share like everyone else. Missourians need to have confidence that the way we address our energy needs is fair and equitable.”
Scissors said that, under the proposal, families and small businesses will see an increase in their electric rates from 12 percent to in some cases 93 percent, where big industrial corporations will face virtually no increase.
The state already gives big industrial corporations a special deal on their electric rates: At present, big industrial corporations pay a rate for their electricity that is about half the rate paid by families and small businesses.
“This proposal will make this disparity even worse,” said Scissors. “This language is not in the spirit of the 2008 measure and will not bring new renewable energy to Missouri without a significant cost increase to ratepayers like you and me.
“Big corporations will love this proposal,” said Scissors. “But families and small businesses are tired of being taken advantage of, and they are the ones who vote.”
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