Dive Summary:

• The Great Rivers Environmental Law Center filed a lawsuit Monday claiming the Missouri government violated the state constitution by allowing utilities to opt-out of investing in renewables under the state’s renewable standard, which requires utilities to mix in 15% renewable energy sources by 2021.
• The group says that the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, a  team of 10 Missouri legislators responsible for reviewing state regulations, removed two paragraphs in a law that requires Missouri’s four largest private-owned utilities to develop renewables in Missouri or nearby states.
• Attorney Henry Robertson said utilities pressured the legislators to cut out the key paragraphs and argue for the ability to buy renewable energy credits rather than building renewable resources in-state.

From the article:

“Warren Wood, vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs for Ameren Missouri, said the utility has already invested “significantly” in renewable energy. He cited over 100 megawatts they’re buying from Iowa, as well as a landfill gas power plant now producing electricity near St. Louis.”