Missouri Legislature Recap: Ameren UE Rate Hike Defeated

by Amanda Rongey

NEW MADRID – In this corner we have a multi-billion dollar monopoly stacked with unlimited resources to field an army of lobbyist flooding the halls of the state capital advancing their special interests. They are joined in their corner by a host of state officials, whose campaign bank accounts are bulging with tainted Ameren UE money.

In the other corner you have State Senators Rob Mayer and Jason Crowell, armed only with their determination that their constituents will not be taken advantage of, to satisfy Ameren UE’s bond holders. This showdown takes place in the well of the Missouri State Senate, a place where normally well funded special interests carry the day. However, Southeast Missouri State Senators bring a special punch to this fight… the filibuster.

Ameren UE, the electricity supplier to most of eastern Missouri, wants to build a second nuclear power plant. While this is not an issue, the fact that they want to pass the investment expense onto the hard working citizens of Missouri is a problem. This bill was filed by Senator Scott and has endured several attempts to change to this bill. If this bill passes, it will change the way in which utility companies pass the risk for capital improvements onto consumers statewide, not just Ameren UE customers.

The last nuclear power plant built in Missouri was built by Ameren UE, and is currently operational in Calloway County. It was built using existing law, but now Ameren wants to change the law so that they may raise electric rates to help the multi-million dollar utility pay for investment costs. Many residents we spoke to in Stoddard County, though, believe that bond holding “fat cats” on Wall Street will be the ones recouping their investment dollars on the backs of the working people of eastern Missouri.

Legislators Who have taken Ameren UE money who are now supporting SB 228

Sen. Charlie Shields (through committees he controls) $22,500

Sen. Tom Dempsey $2,175

Sen. Kevin Engler $6,028

Sen. Brad Lager $1,600

Sen. John Griesheimer $3,825

Sen. Tim Green $2,175

Here is a statement taken straight from the Public Service Commission’s website “The Missouri Public Service Commission regulates investor-owned electric, steam, natural gas, water, sewer and telephone companies. Its mission is to ensure Missouri consumers have access to safe, reliable and reasonably priced utility service while allowing those utility companies under our jurisdiction an opportunity to earn a reasonable return on their investment.” Some people say that raising the rates and making the entire state pay for the construction of this plant does not fit into the reasonably priced utility service section of that statement?

Of all the times for the rich and powerful utility interests to pass their investment costs on to the public, this seems incredibly insensitive in these tough economic times. However, it is nice to know that there are still public servants in government that will stand up for the working class of this state. Luckily for the citizens of southeast Missouri, we have a few understanding and concerned legislators who will stand in the well of the Senate and be the guardian of the interests of the people against the powerful. Senators Jason Crowell and Rob Mayer are currently meeting insurmountable odds to defend southeast Missouri residents against the wealthy special interest.

Of the two, Senator Mayer does not enter lightly into filibustering legislation; however, he says, “With this situation, I felt I needed to get engaged.” He also stated, “I’m not opposed to nuclear power plants. There is going to be more need for power. As we build, these costs should not get passed on to consumers.”

Senator Jason Crowell says, “This will be a very challenging debate with few allies willing to stand up with us, but if it comes before the interest of the Republican caucus or the interests of my constituents, I’m standing with my constituents.”

Under Missouri State Senate rules, any Senator may inquire of another Senator. Once he or she has the floor, they may speak on any issue, holding up debate as long as they do not sit down or quit talking. There are parliamentary rules which may end debate, but are seldom invoked.

Why are southeast Missouri’s Senators nearly alone in this fight? When asked, other senators around the state have several answers. Senator Brad Lager said that once the plant is built, it will be “owned by the rate payers.” However, he would not commit to supporting an effort to force Ameren UE to reimburse rate payers with profits from the sale of power generated at the plant.

One fact pointed out by Senator Crowell is that many of this bills’ staunchest proponents are those whose constituents do not use Ameren UE for their utility service. Senate President Pro Tem, Charlie Shields who is the leader of the Senate, said that he supports the bill because all of Missouri will benefit from the building of the plant. However, President Pro Tem Shields would not commit to sponsoring an amendment forcing his constituents in St. Joseph, or the rest of the state, to help pay for the new plant that he feels will help the entire state.

Senator Delbert Scott, who is sponsoring the legislation, stated that, instead of standing up on the Senate floor and debating, southeast Missouri’s Senators may find it necessary to invoke a little used parliamentary rule called, “moving the previous question.” “I think that there must be a balance to excessive filibustering. Senator Crowell has stated, “Until fundamental changes are made to this bill, I will kill it”. One other common denominator, many of the senators who support this bill have, is that they have all accepted thousands of dollars in contributions from Ameren.

The most frightening aspect of this legislation involves Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation, located in New Madrid. As one of the largest employers in the area, they will be forced to pay almost 200 million dollars more in utility costs per year if this bill passes. Noranda employees are worried they will have to pull out and move elsewhere if this bill passes. The reckless actions of the Missouri legislature could cost 1100 jobs to be lost in this region. Also, the extra tax money that would generally go to the New Madrid School District will but cut drastically.

It is yet to be determined who will eventually win this fight, but even with the hordes of money, the leaders of their own party, a parade of lobbyist, and a powerful special interest, Senators Crowell and Mayer are standing against all odds for southeast Missouri residents. Amanda Rongey can be reached at amandarongey@semotimes.com