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Senate Gives Approval for Renewable Gas Program

A Senate bill was meant to help Missouri utility companies receive financial help transitioning to renewable natural gas. SB 141, sponsored by Sen. Jason Bean, will require Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) will facilitate gas companies to offer a voluntary renewable natural gas program. PSC would enact the reporting requirements and recover the program’s expenses from an automatic rate adjustment clause.

The funds put forward for installing and maintaining the equipment needed for the program will also help. Until the project begins operations, it would be challenging to start recovery. This change would allow for PSC to make decisions on clean energy production, according to Bean. It would also help companies offset the cost of transition and encourage natural gas production in Missouri.

Bean said, “We have the unique opportunity to quite literally capture a problematic byproduct and convert it to clean, Missouri-made renewable energy. Currently the PSC may consider these items, but could not make decisions based on whether the item was a prudent investment. The bill offers the use of waste products for clean energy, renewable natural gas, and a high-grade liquid fertilizer from the byproducts of the process.”

With the bill, political subdivisions will be restricted from adopting rules prohibiting the connection or reconnection of utilities based on the type of service or energy delivered to the consumers. Earlier this week, Bean’s legislation was perfected with a pair of clarifying amendments connected. An amendment was attempted to be attached to the bill by Sen. Bill Eigel, which would exempt St. Louis County from decentralized emissions programs.

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