Your Wallet, Your Choice.
Missouri used to have some of the lowest electric rates in the United States, but in recent years, electric bills have increased at one of the fastest rates in the country. In 2023, Missouri ranked 4th in the countryfor the most significant jump in electrical rate increases! 

In fact, the Consumers’ Council of Missouri reported that electric rates increased 20% from 2020 to 2023. That’s an annual cost increase of $327 for the average household.

Nearly 40% of the power plants operated by Ameren, Evergy, and Liberty will need to be retired by 2036. At the same time, energy demand is expected to grow by at least 30%. Missouri will need about 10,000 megawatts of power generation by 2036 – and it will cost ratepayers billions of dollars. According to an analysis of utility infrastructure projects, Ameren and Evergy plan to spend $54 billion over the next five years. Infrastructure projects are also where utilities make their biggest profits for their shareholders. The more expensive the project, the greater the profit – and the more unaffordable electricity becomes for consumers. Because Missouri does not allow competition, these monopolies can set prices, and ratepayers are forced to pay the bill.

There is another way.
In 24 states, some type of competition with the utility is allowed, keeping costs low and giving ratepayers options. In 14 of those states, the legislature broke up the utility monopoly on building and selling electricity. Now, private companies compete to build the most reliable, efficient, and in-demand energy resources, with the costs and risks falling on private investors, not ratepayers.

Sen. Nick Schroer, Rep. Don Mayhew, and Rep. Tricia Byrnes have introduced legislation (SB 1411/HB 2207 /HB 2233) that would break up the utility monopoly and make utilities compete against other companies to build and sell power.

Don’t wait to get involved! Tell lawmakers you want your electric utility company to compete for your business!