Missouri lawmakers are advancing a series of bills that would significantly change how electricity is generated and sold in Missouri.
The legislation would require Missouri’s regulated electric utilities to sell their power plants, allowing private companies to buy them or build new sources of electricity.
Supporters say competition would force companies to keep prices down, something they argue is missing under the current system.
Rep. Tricia Byrnes, R‑St. Charles County, one of the House sponsors, said competition is central to the proposal.
“So, in the marketplace, when there’s competition, you have to fight for that customer to remain your customer, and right now, that’s not happening,” Byrnes said.
Byrnes also said her proposal borrows ideas from other states while remaining conservative in approach. She pointed to Missouri’s ranking as one of the states with the fastest‑rising electricity prices since 2008 and said, “Probably one of the only things that I find that Illinois’s policies have worked,” adding that Missouri’s plan takes “the best things from these policies.”
Byrnes pushed back on criticism that the plan is left‑leaning, saying it is about consumer choice.
Similar legislation has also been filed by Sen. Nick Schroer, R‑Defiance, and Rep. Don Mayhew, R‑Crocker.
Byrnes is sponsoring HB 2233, which has not yet received a public hearing. Mayhew’s bill, HB 2207, has not yet received a public hearing. Schroer’s bill, SB 1411, has received a hearing.
The proposals are expected to face debate from utilities and consumer advocates as the session continues.
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