Missouri Voters to Decide on Renewables

First posted on 10-31-2008

Proposition C, on Missouri ballots Tuesday, will give voters an opportunity to decide whether certain electric utilities in the state will be mandated to produce a portion of their power from renewable energy sources.

Specifically, a “yes” vote on the measure will amend current Missouri law to require investor owned electric utilities to either generate or purchase a percentage of electricity from renewables like solar, wind, biomass, ethanol sources and hydropower according to the schedule below:

• 2% of retail electricity sales by 2011
• 5% by 2014
• 10% by 2018
• 15% by 2021

A “no” vote will not require any of the state’s investor owned electric utilities to generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources.

A simple majority will decide the issue.

If passed, Proposition C would also restrict rate increases to consumers for the costs of purchasing or producing electricity from renewable sources. The rate increase is capped at 1 percent.

According to the Missouri Secretary of State’s office, Proposition C will have no impact on taxes although there is an estimated direct cost to state government of about $395,000.

Some of Missouri’s utility companies have shown support for the measure, which is also known as the clean energy initiative, and none have actively campaigned against Proposition C. Ameren, which supplies power to a large part of central and eastern Missouri has expressed concerns over the costs of complying with the law, particularly how those costs could affect its customers.

It is not news that this is shaping up to be a critical election year for all Americans requiring decisions on the presidency to ballot initiatives like Proposition C. While the decision of how to vote on any of the choices is up to the individual voter, we believe it is our responsibility to urge all voters to make certain they know what is on the ballot and exercise their right to decide. Please cast your ballot on November 4.