Groups continue to oppose CWIP

Posted to Politics Watch by Andrew Denney at 6:15 p.m., March 30, 2009

A coalition of consumer advocacy and environmental groups held a press conference in the state capitol today to voice their opposition to a bill that would allow a utility provider to charge ratepayers higher rates while nuclear plant is under construction.

The coalition, called Missourians For Fair Electric Rates, held a conference to oppose the bill, which would allow utility provider Ameren UE to charge customers for "construction work in progress" -- or CWIP -- while a second nuclear plant is built in Callaway County. In a news release, the group said ratepayers could see a 40 percent hike in their electric rates and could lead to job loss.

Susan Gallagher, a spokeswoman for Ameren, said pre-construction costs might drive rates up 1 to 3 percent before construction would begin in 2013. She said the biggest increase that ratepayers could see after the plant goes online might be as much as 12 percent.

The Senate version of the bill could come before the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy and the Environment Committee as early as tomorrow, according to a news release from Missourians for Fair Electric Rates. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Delbert Scott, R-Lowry City, and has been languishing in the committee since Feb. 10. A similar House bill, sponsored by Rep. Edgar Emery, R-Lamar, was referred to the House Rules Committee on March 9, but no hearing has been scheduled.