House Utilities Committee passes bill that allows early site permits to power companies

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Intro:	The Missouri House Utilities Committee passed a bill that gives the state's power companies the ability to charge customers for some of the costs of building a second nuclear Ameren UE power plant.
RunTime:	0:41
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: The House Utilities Committee members overwhelmingly voted in favor of a bill that could end up costing Missourians.

The bill's sponsor, Mokane Representative Jeanie Riddle says Missouri needs this bill.

Actuality:	RIDDLE3.WAV
Run Time:	00:14
Description: "This is our ticket to get on the train to control Missouri's energy future. We go nowhere unless we have a site permit that says we are allowed to continue to look into further nuclear generation."

Riddle says this won't cost Missourians more than 71 cents a year and every electric provider supports this bill.

Major companies like Ford, Monsanto,and Anheuser Busch all testified last week against this bill.

From Jefferson City I'm Emily Kissee.

Intro:	Missouri's House Utilities Committee overwhelmingly voted in favor of a bill that would help state's power companies build a second nuclear plant.
RunTime:	0:49
OutCue:	SOC

Wrap: This bill allows companies to charge customers for an early site permit to build the state's nuclear power plant.

Republican Representative and Renewable Energy Chair Jason Holsman of Kansas City says its not his preference to build a nuclear plant but says this bill keeps doors open for Missouri in case carbon taxes and EPA regulations increase.

Actuality:	HOLSMAN.WAV
Run Time:	00:13
Description: "I think this is a way for us to keep our options open. I would not support the construction of a nuclear plant at this point in time but I am willing to make the investment to make sure that is still on the table if and when we need to make that decision."

While Holsman and 20 other committee members approved the bill, two committee members opposed this bill.

One member says Missouri needs more diverse energy for the future but says there are better alternatives than building a nuclear plant.

From Jefferson City I'm Emily Kissee.