Environmental groups oppose utility rate hikes
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Environmental groups oppose utility rate hikes

Date: April 30, 2012
By: Josie Butler
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Environmental activists met at the Capital to condemn a plan for a second nuclear reactor in Missouri.
RunTime:  0:46
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Members from two environmental activist groups criticized a bill that would allow Ameren to raise utility rates to fund a nuclear reactor.  Ed Smith is the Director of the Missouri Coalition for the environment.

Actuality:  SMITH 4.WAV
Run Time:  00:12
Description: Ameren's support of SB 759 to dismantle these laws is not an energy plan for Missouri, it's money for nothing. No jobs, no energy delivered to Missouri, and no economic benefits for our local communities.

Activists say Missouri has fallen behind in increasing renewable energy and the bill would require customers to pay for an Early Site Permit before a reactor is built.  

Republican Senator Brad Lager - who sponsors the bill - says the timing of this press conference is not logical because the Early Site Permit is no longer an issue.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Josie Butler.

Intro: 
The sponsor of a controversial bill that would allow Ameren increase rates to fund an early site permit for a second nuclear reactor says he is trying to ensure low rates.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Republican Senator Brad Lager says the environmental groups are trying to create a government mandate forcing people to buy their products.

Environmental groups promote alternative energy plans such as solar or wind projects.

But Lager said his responsibility is to ensure the lowest utility rates for the consumers of Missouri.

Actuality:  LAGER2.WAV
Run Time:  00:14
Description: I'm not going to pick who the winner and loser is, I'm going to create a level playing field for everyone so that if your cost of generating a kilowatt of energy, wherever that is cheapest, that is where consumers should be able to buy it from.

Environmental activists say the bill would have no economic benefits to Missouri.

Reporting from the State Capitol, I'm Josie Butler.