Senate bill is critical to infrastructure
Editor, the Tribune: When I flip the light switch in my home, I’d like to be assured that the lights will actually come on. I think we often take for granted our daily use of electricity and our dependence on it.
Approximately 80 percent of our electrical power is generated from coal-fired power plants. Many of these plants, along with transmission lines, poles and substations, were built generations ago, and it will soon be time to upgrade these facilities. Infrastructure Strengthening and Regulatory Streamlining (ISRS) will help do that. ISRS helps by making it easier for utility companies to make investments in these upgrades while providing more jobs for Missourians almost immediately. In addition, we stand a better chance of attracting new industries in the next few years with power that is both affordable and more reliable.
ISRS helps address the looming need to improve our infrastructure and our flagging economy at the same time. That’s why I think it’s such an important bill. I’m always concerned that my needs as a consumer are protected anytime the legislature considers changing regulations. ISRS makes sure the Public Service Commission is still carefully reviewing these investments. Senate Bill 207 is critical to updating our aging infrastructure, which is nearly 100 years old, and modernizing it to keep up with the needs of today. I thank Sen. Mike Kehoe and Rep. Jeanie Riddle for sponsoring this legislation and encourage them to keep up the good work.
-David S. Hollabaugh
