Missouri unveils plan to keep up with rising energy demands
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Missouri has released a new long-range energy plan to increase in-state electricity production as officials prepare for sharply higher demand from data centers, manufacturing, and other large power users.
Gov. Mike Kehoe and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources unveiled the State Energy Plan Wednesday following a meeting of the Missouri Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force.
Kehoe said reliable, affordable electricity is becoming increasingly important to Missouri's economic development and argued the state has become too dependent on power generated elsewhere.
DNR previously reported Missouri imported more than 15% of the electricity it used in 2025. The department says data centers are expected to be the biggest source of future electricity demand growth, although officials say the size of that increase remains uncertain.
The new plan was developed with consulting firm Guidehouse and includes modeling of Missouri's future electricity needs and recommendations intended to increase reliability, control costs and encourage additional power generation inside the state.
Nuclear energy is expected to play a significant role in the state's discussion.
Kehoe created the Missouri Advanced Nuclear Energy Task Force in January to recommend ways Missouri could expand nuclear generation. Missouri currently has one commercial nuclear reactor, Ameren Missouri's Callaway Energy Center, which produces nearly 15% of the state's electricity.
The task force includes state regulators, lawmakers, utilities, universities, and industry representatives. Rep. Bob Bromley, of Carl Junction, serves on the panel as chairman of the Missouri House Utilities Committee. Liberty Utilities' parent company is also represented on the task force.
The state has not approved construction of another nuclear plant. The task force is examining issues including financing, workforce needs, regulations and development of newer reactor technologies.
Missouri officials are also reviewing whether large data centers could shift electricity infrastructure costs onto residential and small-business customers. DNR and the Missouri Public Service Commission are expected to submit a separate report on those issues to the governor by Nov. 30.
