Dive Brief:

• Missouri utilities have been slow to add renewables more than five years after voters approved a renewable energy standard that climbs to 15% by 2021.
• There has been some rooftop solar development and Kansas City Power & Light is entering into wind deals. For the most part, utilities are counting existing hydroelectric projects towards their renewable requirements and buying renewable energy credits from out-of-state projects.
• A bill is pending that would require the utilities to buy credits from in-state facilities and limit hydro to facilities that have a total capacity of no more than 10 MW.

Dive Insight:

From the beginning, almost every aspect of Missouri's renewable standard has been challenged by utilities at the Missouri Public Service Commission and in court. The utilities have taken advantage of what may be imprecise wording to count their large hydro capacity towards the standards. Generally, the Missouri Legislature has sided with the utilities on renewable issues.