By AP/KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – Officials with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources may be willing to put aside differences with Attorney General Jay Nixon and work with him toward a settlement with Ameren Corporation over the Taum Sauk disaster.
DNR director Doyle Childers made those comments Monday after seeing a copy of a letter sent by Nixon to an Ameren attorney. That letter outlines what Nixon calls "essential elements" necessary to settle the case.
Those provisions require Ameren to spend $350 million to rebuild the hydroelectric plant, to continue making tax payments in Reynolds County as if the plant were still operating, and to agree not to pass along Taum Sauk-related costs to customers.
Childers said he is optimistic the DNR and Nixon can work together on a settlement plan.