Utility companies say nuclear energy may help power Ozarks’ future
FULTON, Mo. – Three hours north of Springfield, the Show-Me-State’s only nuclear reactor churns out electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes.
It’s possible that a second unit at the Callaway Nuclear Generating Station could one day help power the Ozarks.
“When you look at future costs and load growth, it looks like nuclear power is going to be the most economical solution,” said Nancy Southworth, spokesperson for Associated Electric Cooperative.
Several big utility companies, including Ameren and KCP&L, are supporting legislation to fast-track the construction of new nuclear plants. Empire District Electric and Associated Electric, which help power rural Southwest Missouri, are also on board.
“There are hardly any emissions, so it is clean. That’s appealing. It’s right here in Missouri- so it will provide a lot of jobs, a lot of benefits for our state,” said Southworth.
A new unit would be built next to Ameren Missouri’s current reactor, constructed in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Utility companies like Empire and Associated could purchase power from the proposed facility and transmit it through the grid to their customers.
But the deal would come with a catch and a cost to utility customers.
Currently, Missouri law bars utilitiy companies from passing the costs of a new power plant to consumers until after the plant is operational.
Missouri Senate Bill 50 would change that.
Under the legislation, companies filing federal ‘early site permits’ for reactors could recoup up to $40-million of the application costs from their customers. The charges would be allowed before construction even starts on a facility.
Opponents are speaking out, claiming ratepayers would bear an unfair burden.
Fair Energy Rate Action Fund is one of the most vocal groups opposing the proposal. FERAF has sponsored a TV ad campaign in recent weeks criticizing the plans. According to its website, “The FERAF coalition includes AARP, Anheuser Busch, Consumer Council of Missouri, Ford Motor Company, Missouri Association for Social Welfare, Missouri Retailers Association and Noranda.
The Sierra Club is also speaking out against the construction of new nuclear plants, citing environmental concerns.
Supporters, however, say nuclear power needs to be an option for the future.
City Utilities of Springfield says it may lend support to pro-nuclear power legislation. It’s a member of the Missouri Public Utility Alliance, which has directly spoken in favor of Senate Bill 50.
CU said it won’t rule out the possibility of some day tapping into a nuclear plant elsewhere, or building its own once consumer demand overpowers output.
“What are we going to do in the next ten years? What’s going to happen in the next fifteen years when we have to look at that next power generation?” asked Joel Alexander, CU spokesman.
City Utilities expects it’s new Southwest 2 plant, which went online last year, to provide enough output to meet the city’s needs through at least 2020.
Southwest 2 burns low-sulfur coal delivered by rail from Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. But coal wasn’t the only fuel option looked at during the planning stage several years ago.
“We did discuss nuclear. The problem we still have for nuclear is permitting, and the permit phase,” Alexander said.
But Senate Bill 50 could make it easier for CU to consider nuclear the next time around.
With increasing clamp-downs on emissions, and rising coal prices, CU says it needs to keep its options open for the future.
“I would say it may be difficult to get another coal plant permitted, not just here, but across the United States,” predicted Alexander.
When the need for more electricity comes, CU says it probably won’t rule out the possibility of looking at the atom for the answer.
“I don’t think anything is off the table at this point. I think we just have to wait and see what options present themselves if that time comes, when we need the additional power generation.
The Missouri Senate and House have both heard versions of the legislation, which has already won initial support from Governor Jay Nixon. The Senate’s version of the bill has been sent to a committee for consideration.
If all goes in favor of the plant, Ameren Missouri predicts it would take between 13 and 15 years to build its reactor and power station. It’s estimated to cost at least $6-billion.
-Mike Landis
