A freshman State Senator wants Missouri Governor Jay Nixon (D) to call a special legislative session to approve a site permit for a second nuclear power plant.
Mike Kehoe (R, Jefferson City) carried the issue in the Senate this year. He sent a letter to the governor requesting a special session.
“I know these are big decisions that governors have to make...but I think it’s vitally important to Missouri’s energy future and to our economy," Kehoe said.
On the final day of session, lawmakers reached an agreement that would allow utility customers to be billed for the cost of a site permit for a second reactor at Ameren Missouri’s Callaway County plant. But the Missouri Senate failed to vote on the bill in the session’s closing minutes.
Other lawmakers want a special session to pass the Aerotropolis proposal for Lambert St. Louis International Airport, along with other economic development incentives.
“Well, I think it probably fits with them," Kehoe said. "The actual site permit piece does not produce jobs, but it certainly opens the door for the next phase of the project, which would be an incredible job creation activity.”
In response, Governor Nixon's Press Secretary, Scott Holste, issued the following statement:
"Special sessions should be reserved for significant issues of immediate importance, where broad consensus can be reached. That's the standard we will use in determining whether a special session would be appropriate on this or any issue."
