electricity

U.S. Sen Josh Hawley's skepticism of data centers puts him at odds with some prominent Missouri Republicans, including Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Companies are racing to roll out nuclear reactor designs that would be faster to build and could meet rising demand for energy from AI data centers. Two nuclear companies have proposals for new reactors in Kansas. Plus: Data centers are fundamentally changing the landscape for electric utilities in Missouri and beyond.

Staff at Missouri's Public Service Commission said that regulators should reject a new proposal from Ameren, which they say would raise rates on customers while enriching Ameren shareholders.

Energy companies in Missouri have been raising their prices to recoup costs of investments and the price of fuel. Except unlike other goods and services, customers usually have one choice when it comes to electricity.

Data centers are expanding across the central U.S. to meet growing demand for artificial intelligence. That's raising concerns about growing energy demand and freshwater usage.

About $378 million of Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding remains to be distributed. Without federal staff, some experts and advocates worry that low-income customers won’t be able to pay for cooling as the months get hotter.

Lee's Summit Republican Sen. Mike Cierpiot's bill would repeal a 1976 ban on charging customers for new power plants as they are built to meets future energy needs. Critics say it’s a cash grab by utilities who will undoubtedly raise rates.

Gov. Laura Kelly said the construction of the plants would create 500 construction jobs and 165 permanent jobs. She said the plants would ensure reliable energy in emergencies and during hot summer days.

More than 10,000 households around Kansas City lack access to any kind of air conditioning — and during the summer, many more struggle to afford their electric utility bills. Some programs around Kansas City are trying to help.

The rules will affect new residential construction projects funded by the federal Housing and Rural Development agency. Now, lawmakers are pushing the agency that oversees the nation’s two largest mortgage backers to adopt similar measures.

Missouri advocates are trying to gather 171,000 signatures for a ballot measure to legalize abortion, but even with a large amount of cash and enthusiasm, the Missouri General Assembly could get in their way. Plus: People in older, more affordable Kansas homes are more likely to lose power, and there's no easy fix.

Burying existing overhead power lines in developed neighborhoods would cost billions of dollars. That cost would immediately show up on electricity bills.