Press release
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Renew Missouri, a not-for-profit group focused on renewable energy and energy efficiency policy around the Show-Me State, urges the Public Service Commission (PSC) to take immediate action on the proposed changes to rules that would lead to billions of dollars in grid improvements and the creation of long-term, good-paying jobs.
The PSC regulates all privately-owned utilities in the state of Missouri. Part of their job is to establish rules for the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. A portion of these rules are guided by the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) of 1978, a federal statute signed into law to make sure utility companies were not overly reliant on fossil fuels in providing power to their customers. For years, Missouri’s rules implementing these federal guidelines have been insufficient to actually make that policy a reality for the public.
In June of this year, Renew Missouri filed a proposal to change these rules. Now, the PSC is considering a new draft rule that falls short of Renew Missouri’s proposal. But this body of policy makers – appointed by the Governor and approved by the State Senate – aren’t even taking action on this watered-down version and they are saying nothing about why they are taking no action.
Renew Missouri believes such inaction on a pro-economic development and pro-jobs opportunity is inexcusable. “If you look at other states,” notes Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owen, “there’s been a massive influx in activity. Private companies in North Carolina have invested more than $7.75 billion in solar and employ over 6,500 people, compared to Missouri’s investment of about $548.97 million and 2,819 employees.” “One of the primary reasons for these differences is North Carolina’s approach to implementing PURPA,” Owen pointed out.
This is not some touchy-feely environmental proposal. Renew Missouri believes that, if the Parson administration is serious about spurring activity that will lead to more private investment in the state of Missouri, then the PSC must take action. “Almost all of the PSC Commissioners are former lawmakers who made the economy a top priority in the Legislature. For them to avoid making this a top priority for the PSC begs so many questions. Why are they stalling on moving this forward and at whose behest?”
