Mo. Nuclear Plant Bill Prompts Rival Rallies

The role of outside interest groups has played a prominent role during debate over the utility legislation. The political consulting firm of former House Speaker Rod Jetton is assisting one of the bill's critics, and two senators have accused each other of doing the bidding of rival political consultants.

At issue is how new Missouri power plants will be funded. Under a voter-approved 1976 law, utilities cannot start charging electric customers until a new facility is online and producing power.

Missouri lawmakers are considering legislation that would let utilities seek permission from the Public Service Commission to add the financing costs for certain proposed types of new power plants onto electric bills.

That legislation has stalled in the Senate amid worries that it would drive up electric bills for residential consumers and large industrial users such as New Madrid-based smelter Noranda Aluminum Inc.