natural gas

Both Evergy and Ameren Missouri asked a Missouri House committee to support legislation that would allow them to charge customers for natural, or methane, gas power plants even before they’re completed, saying the state needs more electrical power.

Currently, Missouri utilities rely on audited past expenses — called a “test year” — to set rates. Critics say that allowing gas, water and sewer utilities to base rates on upcoming expenses would hurt customers.

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.

Evergy Missouri West wants the Public Service Commission to OK a nearly 14% increase in electric rates, giving the company up to $105 million more in annual revenue. Last year, the company reported $731 million in earnings.

In October, Evergy will force customers to choose between new electricity plans that implement time-of-use pricing, which places a premium on electricity prices at times of high demand. Under the default plan, power used from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. in summer months will cost four times more than other hours.

The utility, which serves 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri, is drawing criticism from environmental groups for keeping open its oldest coal plant. Evergy also said that Kansas City's clean energy goals are “incredibly aggressive” and too expensive.

Spire's rate increase would come to about 12.7% for western Missouri customers, or about $11 a month. But state regulators and consumer advocates are skeptical the energy company needs to increase rates by so much.

The Missouri General Assembly passed a law last year prohibiting cities and municipalities from adopting any policies that remove access to a utility service based on the type of energy it provides.

Kansas City traffic fatalities are up 25% from a year earlier, and nationwide, deaths are at a 20-year high, a surge not seen among any other developed countries. Plus: Congress is spending billions to help states stop pollution from abandoned oil and gas wells.

Kansas City is taking steps to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 with a new Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan. It's expected to decommission Evergy’s Hawthorn coal power plant, create more bike lanes, increase tree canopies and much more.

By focusing on six core climate-related issues, the Climate Protection and Resiliency Plan aims to make Kansas City carbon neutral by 2040. However, energy companies say the plan limits consumer choice.

Spire officials say another rate hike is needed to cover the cost of employee salaries, after state regulators revised long-standing policies last year.