House Republicans move energy legislation to Senate
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House Republicans move energy legislation to Senate

Date: February 28, 2013
By: Alexander Mallin
State Capitol Bureau
Links: HB 44

Intro: 
Republicans in the state Capitol are pushing to change the state's renewable energy laws and that's getting some pushback from environmental groups.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: The state House has voted to the Senate a bill that would allow energy companies to count electricity made from water towards their quotas for renewable energy. 

But environmental groups in the state say the bill is mainly meant to benefit Ameren, Missouri's largest power company. They say the bill is counter to the goals a voter initiative passed in 2008. They say voters wanted power companies to develop additional renewable energy supplies, instead of counting plants that already exist.
 
But House Speaker Tim Jones took issue with that.
 

Actuality:  JONES.WAV
Run Time:  00:08
Description: "I think that just flies in the face of fact, and common sense. I mean water is our most basic renewable resources."

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.

Intro: 
House Republicans have sent to the Senate a bill that's stirring up controversy with environmental groups.
RunTime:  0:42
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: PJ Wilson is the Director of Renew Missouri. He helped draft Proposition C, which voters passed in 2008. He says voters wanted power companies to develop additional renewable energy supplies, instead of counting plants that already exist.

But he says legislation on its way to the Senate would allow utility companies like Ameren to count hydroelectric plants that were intentionally kept out of the ballot initiative.

Actuality:  WILSON.WAV
Run Time:  00:10
Description: "Not one supporter of anyone in that building called them and encouraged them to vote yes on this bill. And I know that thousands of voters of those elected officials called them to vote no."

Republicans say hydroelectric power should have been included in the first place.

Reporting from the state capitol, I'm Alex Mallin.