MOBERLY, Mo. – Rep. Tim Remole, R-Excello, led a forum Monday night in Moberly addressing concerns about increasing federal regulation on utilities.
Almost 100 concerned citizens filled the historic community theater, where Remole was joined by representatives from investor-regulated utilities, co-ops, and municipal utilities, who shared their present challenges.
Remole encouraged attendees to contact their federal and state lawmakers to express their concern with increased regulation, specifically in regards in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and their “Clean Power Plan.”
“I want you to be informed that what we are facing now will take all of us together,” Remole said. “We need to stand up for everybody and keep everyone informed [about the new regulations].”
Remole introduced all speakers, including former Sen. David Klindt, Vice President of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives, who pointed out the impacts that could be felt in Missouri if the new federal regulations take effect. Klindt pointed to Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster’s lawsuit against the EPA asking for a stay against new carbon-emission regulations.
One elderly gentleman cried and thanked Remole for organizing the meeting, citing his own personal concerns paying his Ameren bill on a fixed income.
“This is none other than taking away our freedoms,” Remole concluded. “The EPA is not listening. We are facing more regulations on our utilities than at any other time in our history and it matters. I don’t think we should stand by and watch this happen.”
Question and answer sessions revealed that midwestern states, such as Missouri, would be hit hard by carbon-emission regulations because of reliance on coal, as opposed to nuclear or hydro power.
Moberly is near the Thomas Hill Energy Center, a coal-fired energy station managed by local cooperatives.
Reps. Jim Hansen, R-Frankford, and Chuck Basye, R-Rocheport, also attended, lending their support to Remole.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
