Wrap: Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri's Senate filibustered a measure on energy rate restructuring.

It would allow a bankrupt aluminum manufacturer and others to set energy rates with their suppliers alone. The measure would also let energy companies modernize their infrastructure easily.

Republican Senator Gary Romine said energy companies should be regulated because they do not have free-market competition.

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Description: It will have a bad impact on our consumers. It will have a bad impact on the average citizen and small business.

 

The measure's supporters said consumers would feel the impact of aluminum smelter Noranda's fall either way. The aluminum company consumes 10 percent of all energy produced by Ameren.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.

Wrap: Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri's Senate filibustered a measure on energy rate restructuring.

The measure would allow a bankrupt aluminum manufacturer and other manufacturers to set energy rates with their suppliers alone. The measure would also let energy companies modernize their infrastructure more easily.

The measure's supporters said energy consumers would feel the impact of aluminum smelter Noranda's fall either way. The aluminum company consumes 10 percent of all energy produced by Ameren. That restructuring would shift costs to consumers of Ameren in Missouri and Illinois.

Opponents said energy companies should be regulated because they do not have free-market competition.

Reporting from the state Capitol, I'm Jack Morrisroe.