Why has the Missourians for Safe Energy reconvened at this time? What event should Missourians be aware of? In short, AmerenUE (our electricity provider for most of the state) has announced it is considering building a nuclear power plant beside the current nuclear plant in Callaway County. Several years ago that would have been unheard of, since nuclear power is a very expensive method of creating electricity. But recently passed congressional bills offer significant subsidies for nuclear power. These include up to $2 billion in payments for construction delays, even if the delays come from the licensing process or local objections. The bill also limits operator liability in the case of accidents, assumes costs related to waste disposal, offers no limit loans for 80% of construction costs, and a tax rebate for every megawatt produced. In total, the package makes nuclear power a feasible, but not optimal, choice for a utility company that already has access to a nuclear reactor site.

In the next year, AmerenUE is going to commit to a plan of action. Before they can commit to a new nuclear reactor there are some really big problems to overcome. One of our goals is to bring these problems to light and help the community and AmerenUE agree on how they will be addressed.
Our group meets regularly, and these meetings are marked on the website calendar at www.mosafeenergy.org/calendar anyone interested in working in the group is welcome to attend. Missourians for Safe Energy is active in a number of ways: teach ins, debates, a speakers bank, letter writing to officials and to newspapers, etc. If any of these activities interest you, please contact us.