State rep wants to boost nuclear power by letting companies charge customers up front

Missouri hasn’t seen a new nuclear plant in more than 30 years. A local lawmaker and state air conservation officials say that needs to change to meet the demands of the future. Their first step: letting power companies bill customers up front for the cost.

Rep. John Black, R-Marshfield, filed a bill earlier this month that would allow companies to add the cost of a new nuclear plant or renewable energy generator to customers’ rates while they’re under construction.

Missouri voters banned the practice via initiative petition in 1976, shortly after St. Louis-based Ameren’s corporate predecessor won approval to collect costs while it built the state’s first nuclear power plant in Callaway County. […]

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