Reject Fossil Fuel Dependence and Rising Energy Costs

I urge you to vote “no” on Missouri SB 6 (Cierpiot), HB 476 (Pollitt), and HB 713 (Pollitt), as these bills impose harmful and unnecessary restrictions on the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy solutions. The bills require utility companies to generate an equal or greater amount of electricity as a current power plant before they can close that plant. This provision slows down the retirement of harmful fossil fuel plants, locking Missouri into continued reliance on outdated and polluting energy sources. It also fails to acknowledge the significant investments individuals, companies, and political subdivisions are making in energy efficiency and renewable energy. While we must ensure Missourians can keep the heat and lights on, this language will have the unintended consequence of delaying the closure of outdated power plants until utilities can generate more electricity—electricity their customers may not even need. This is a step backward for our state’s energy future. Additionally, the bills mandate that “reliable” energy must replace coal plants, a term that disproportionately favors fossil fuel-based solutions like natural gas. By providing favorable accounting deferrals for gas plant construction, these bills prioritize the interests of wealthy utility companies and natural gas conglomerates over the needs of Missourians. Furthermore, the provision allowing businesses to assume ownership of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) for energy provided for their own benefit undermines progress toward cleaner energy solutions. This could hinder the state’s ability to meet its renewable energy goals and shift the financial burden of compliance onto other ratepayers. The complex compliance requirements introduced by these bills will ultimately burden both utilities and consumers, creating unnecessary red tape and increasing costs for Missouri families and businesses. These bills cater to the interests of powerful utility companies at the expense of local tax dollars, public health, and the environment. They ignore the growing demand for clean energy and the economic opportunities it brings, such as job creation and reduced energy costs. Missouri deserves energy policies that prioritize affordability, sustainability, and equity—not policies that protect outdated fossil fuel infrastructure and delay progress. I urge you to vote “no” on SB 6, HB 476, and HB 713 and instead support legislation that encourages innovation, efficiency, and a just transition to renewable energy.