Missouri legislature stalls on financing for nuclear power plants as lawmakers debate

Missouri's legislature stalled on a debate over how to finance new nuclear power plants amid rising electricity demand and utility bills.

The focal point is CWIP, or Construction Work in Progress, which would allow utility companies to charge customers for power plants as they're being built, before generating electricity.

Supporters argue CWIP can jumpstart nuclear investment and save customers money long-term by reducing utility debt. Critics, including state Republican Senator Joe Nicola, contend it places risky investment burdens on ratepayers while utility bills will rise anyway.

The Missouri House passed CWIP for small modular nuclear reactors, but the Senate approved an amendment banning CWIP for all nuclear power by one vote.

Consumer advocates warn nuclear facilities take longer to construct, cost more, and often exceed budgets. Large energy-intensive manufacturers worry CWIP could raise electricity costs and hurt Missouri's economic competitiveness, potentially driving companies to states with lower energy costs.

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