Two years ago, environmental and consumer lobbyists clashed with utility advocates over state legislation that would have furthered Ameren Missouri's plans to develop a second nuclear plant in Callaway County.
The bill ultimately died. And the St. Louis utility suspended efforts to get a permit for a second nuclear reactor. But the months of television ads, harsh rhetoric and political jockeying that characterized the debate did make a mark, providing the impetus for the Missouri Energy Initiative, a new statewide think tank for energy issues.
Roger Walker — a part-time attorney for Clayton's Armstrong Teasdale and executive director of Regform, a statewide business association focused on environmental policy — became frustrated with the tenor of the nuclear debate. The squabbling "became a catalyst for wanting to have an honest debate on energy issues," he said.
The group emerges as Missouri faces thorny questions regarding its energy future. The Legislature will again debate legislation that would further development of a second Callaway nuclear plant. The state will also grapple with how to increase energy efficient and renewable energy, while reducing dependence on fossil fuels and maintaining relatively low electricity rates, a competitive advantage for businesses.
Walker and co-founder Gary Stacy, a University of Missouri plant sciences professor, have worked deliberately to sketch out MEI's goals, recruit board members and raise funds. (Stacy had been organizing a separate organization focused on Missouri energy research and education when he and Walker decided to combine their efforts.)
"We've been moving slowly on purpose," Walker said. "These issues are going to be here for a long time."
The group's 14 current board members include former Gov. Bob Holden; Washington University Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton; Ron Wood, the retired chief executive of Kansas City-based energy consultancy Black & Veatch; former Congressman Kenny Hulshof; and Stanley R. Bull of the Midwest Research Institute.
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