By Chris Ventura, Midwest Executive Director for Consumer Energy Alliance
What happens when a state can’t keep up with its growing power needs? The answer is simple: families pay more, businesses look elsewhere, and economic opportunities vanish. That’s exactly what Missouri faces unless lawmakers take decisive action to secure our energy future.
The numbers tell a stark story. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator projects a devastating 4.7 gigawatt shortfall by 2028 – and that’s after accounting for planned power additions. For Missouri families and businesses already dealing with economic pressures, this looming crisis threatens both their finances and their future opportunities.
Here’s what’s at stake: Missouri currently ranks 18th nationally as an attractive place to do business, thanks in part to relatively affordable energy rates. But that advantage is slipping away. The Missouri Department of Economic Development reports several pending projects – each requiring more than one gigawatt of power – that could bring thousands of family-sustaining jobs and billions in investment to our state.
But without action, we’ll watch these opportunities go to other states.
Look at Google’s planned data center in the Kansas City area. It represents just the tip of the iceberg for Missouri’s potential growth in the artificial intelligence and tech sectors. But these industries require one thing above all else: reliable, affordable power. Our current regulatory framework makes it nearly impossible for utilities to invest in the new, dispatchable generation needed to meet these demands.
The solution is clear. The Power Predictability and Reliability Act, which earned nearly unanimous bipartisan support from the House Utilities committee, provides the regulatory certainty needed for utilities to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in new power generation while maintaining strong consumer protections through Missouri Public Service Commission oversight.
This isn’t about choosing between affordable rates and reliable power – it’s about securing both. By enabling investment in natural gas infrastructure and energy storage systems, we can ensure Missouri families continue enjoying some of the region’s most affordable energy rates while positioning our state to capture the next wave of economic growth.
This isn’t just about meeting our power needs. It’s about securing our future. The legislation’s benefits are clear: It will create jobs, attract investment, and provide a stable and reliable energy supply for years to come. Our state’s economic stability and growth depends on its passage – and the time to act is now.