Ameren bill supporters/opponents take to the streets tomorrow
JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri Senate leaders say the Ameren nuclear plant bill is unlikely to come back up for debate this week, but supporters and opponents of the bill will do their part tomorrow to keep the issue in the forefront.
Starting at 8:30 a.m., representatives of the senior organization AARP will hold a rally outside Ameren’s Jefferson City offices on Madison Street east of the Capitol.
At 10, members of the Missourians for a Balanced Energy Future, the group leading the lobbying charge in favor of the bill, will meet on the north steps of the Capitol. After a couple of speeches, they will head to lawmakers’ offices to lobby for the bill.
The Ameren bill was filibustered last week by Sen. Jason Crowell, R-Cape Girardeau, and others. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, said the bill is unlikely to come back up until some compromise is reached, primarily between the industrial companies opposing the bill, and Ameren.
“I don’t think we’re that far apart,” said Senate Majority Leader Kevin Engler, this morning.
Robert Kennedy, Jr. was just in St. Lous today. He pointed out that Missouri has many energy alternatives to nuclear power plants. The northwest part of the state as well as the south east part of the state have enough wind for wind turbines. Mr. Kennedy also stated that solar pannels are an affordable way to harness energy from the sun.
The nuclear power plant that Ameren is proposing will cost 9 billion to 15 billion dollars and may or may not work. Nuclear plants don’t have to be insured. Ameren can’t get private funding, which is why they want to raise rates. It make no sense to build nuclear plants when we have alternative environmentally save and effecient energy available. Ameren, please listen to the public and become the hero and invest in green energy.
“said the bill is unlikely to come back up until some compromise is reached, primarily between the industrial companies opposing the bill, and Ameren.”
I find it sadly ironic that the ads on TV about this bill are focused at we, the people, when this battle really is about large corporate interests. But then, this probably reflects 90% of legislation nowadays.
I do agree on working with green energy alternatives. Wasn’t that the whole reason Mark Templeton, who has absolutely no background with natural resources was brought in to head DNR? To help bring in green jobs?