By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – So far there's no vocal opposition to the Clean Energy Initiative that was cleared last week to go on the November ballot in Missouri.
The initiative would require utilities to get 15 percent of their electricity from renewable energy sources by the year 2021.
AmerenUE spokesman Tim Fox says the St. Louis-based utility is not taking a position.
"We're neutral on this particular ballot proposal, but our concern is that renewable energy mandates could lead to significantly higher costs for our customers in the future," Fox said.
Jim Kottmeyer, a consultant for Missourians for Cleaner Cheaper Energy, says 25 other states already have such requirements and rates have remained the same.
"In fact, in a number of states, it's already started to decrease rates," Kottmeyer said.
The initiative also states that utilities are restricted to a one percent rate increase for consumers.
Kansas City Light and Power is supporting the initiative.