Energy policy is often debated in legislatures nationwide and ours is no different. Though we typically identify its impact as to having a direct effect on the cost to us to flip on the light switch at home – energy policy is much more than that. Energy costs are some of the largest for companies who grow, manufacture, deliver, and sell the public its commodities and other goods. Poor energy policy won’t just make your electric bill go up, it will make the cost of your milk, eggs, diapers, cars – you name it – go up.
Here in Missouri, we depend on coal. It produces most of the energy we have and use. While the EPA and democrats in D.C. have been struggling to find ways to make you pay more for anything and everything you buy with their destructive energy policy, your Missouri House has a different agenda.
Over the next several months, we will work towards policies that stand against threats to coal, enhance our ability to be competitive in the Small Modular Nuclear Reactor market (more to come on this), and stand up for your wallet.
Yes Tim, we need protection against out of control energy costs. I for one depend solely on electricity as I would imagine many other Missourian's do who live in rural areas. When I first moved into my house here in Ellisville, my electric bill was $3500.00 a year. I aggressively pursued energy efficiency and in 2000 had the bill down to $2250.00 a year. Having just closed out 2012 I find my annual cost has gone up to $3950.00...that's a 75.6% increase for the same KWHRs. When you are on a fixed income...that hurts. So, yes, we need to continue focusing on energy costs and also hold down the fees and surcharges and other adjustments to monthly utility bills. The farce Green Energy strategy of wind and solar pales in comparison to coal and natural gas. Ed Burnett
ReplyDeleteEd,
DeleteAs long as you are 100% dependant on Ameren, you will continue to see rate increases & your bills will go up b/c they have a monopoly & are guaranteed a return. One reason they are raising rates now is b/c they are bringing in coal from Wyoming and facing increased fuel surcharges that they can pass along to you. The Renewable Energy Standard passed by 66% of the Missouri voters in 2008 requires the Investor Owned Utilities to provide incentives for renewable energy and cannot result in a rate increase greater than 1% (ie, this isn't being passed along to you). The RES has created 1200 jobs since 2008 and is helping keep businesses along the western border in our state.
If you are interested in decreasing your electric bill by limiting your exposure to Ameren's increases, you should look into solar for your home or business. You can find a list of well-qualified installers with financing options at www.moseia.com.
Speaker Jones:
ReplyDeleteHow does HB 44 improve the situation for rate payers in our state?
My understanding is that HB44 will allow Ameren to count 100 year old dams as renewable energy (one of which is in Iowa). The utility will undoubtedly then claim that they have met the Renewable Energy Standard and kill the solar incentives that have allowed thousands of businesses and residents to decrease their utility costs since 2008.
Please clarify your position on this bill for your constituents