A proposed new Ameren large data center is being opposed by the staff of Missouri’s utility regulator as they contend the center would raise electric bills by an estimated $22 million in rates.
They also urge the Missouri Public Service Commission to deny the utility’s request.
“Captive ratepayers should not pay unreasonably for those upgrades nor should existing ratepayers be caught having to pay for any potential stranded or under-utilized resources built to serve anticipated large load customers,” wrote James A. Busch, director of the industry analysis division of the Missouri Public Service Commission, as reported by St. Louis Public Radio.
It is yet another example of the kind of regulatory fights reported across the country as new expensive and power-demanding data centers are proposed.
The fight in Missouri led to the staff of the commission to urge the full commission to reject Ameren’s proposal. In a rebuttal document filed on Sept. 5. they declared that Ameren’s plan will not protect customers’ rates “from reflecting unjust and unreasonable costs,” staff wrote.
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