By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, MO – A bill filed today in the Missouri Senate would allow electric utilities to pass on the costs of building new nuclear, wind and solar power plants to customers while the plants are under construction.
AmerenUE is considering building a second nuclear reactor at its power plant near Fulton, about 20 miles northeast of Jefferson City.
Current law bars utilities from charging customers for construction costs until a new plant is online.
The sponsor of the new bill, State Senator Delbert Scott (R, Lowry City), says, though, that changing the law would make building a new plant more affordable.
"The cost of the plant exceeds the value of Ameren...so there's just no way you can get a loan through normal sources," Scott said.
Scott also says federal aid and nuclear power efficiency could save customers money in the long run.
State Senator Joan Bray (D, St. Louis) opposes the bill.
"If Wall Street isn't interested in financing this, why do you make the customers the suckers who have to finance it? If Wall Street won't do it, there's something wrong with it...if the financial industry says, 'This is not a good deal,' then we should be very, very careful," Bray said.
A similar bill is scheduled to be filed in the Missouri House within the next 10 days.