Nixon signs bill to increase energy saving programs, save consumers money

Governor Nixon signs a bill thataims to save money for energy consumers.

Consumer advocates, environmentalgroups and investor-owned utilities alike have thrown their support behind abill that’s been signed into law. The Energy Efficient Investment Act sets agoal for Missouri’s utilities to achieve more cost-effective savings fromenergy efficiency programs.

Mark Templeton, director of theDepartment of Natural Resources, says his department worked with the governorand the bill’s sponsor, Senator Brad Lager, on bringing this bill into law.

Templeton says it removes severalincentives for utilities to make more money by selling more power. Now, theycan recover for the costs of energy efficiency programs.

Missourians spend about $20 billion dollars a year on energy needs and import nearly 95 percent of theenergy sources used. This bill aims to keep more of those energy dollars in thestate, both in the economy and in consumers’ pockets, Nixon says.

The law takes effect at the end ofnext month. The Public Service Commission will oversee the utility companies,making sure more cost-saving programs are put into place.

Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]