Please help us stop Ameren from building another fossil fuel plant in Castle Bluff!
Ameren Missouri is seeking to build a methane gas (or “natural” gas) plant facility at the former Meramec Energy Center in St. Louis County. This project would generate approximately 800 MW of fossil-fuel fired electricity. Ameren estimates the project to cost $800 million, which the company plans to recover from customers through electric rates. Ameren asked the PSC to approve the plan and we expect a decision by December 2024.
The PSC is seeking public input about the proposal. MCE opposes this new fossil-fuel plant. Here’s how you can submit a written comment to the PSC to urge them to vote no on Ameren’s proposal.
- Detailed instructions can be found here.
- Comments can be submitted until the case is decided, likely in December. We suggest you weigh in as soon as possible so that the PSC can carefully consider your voice.
- Please be advised you must create an account with the PSC to submit a comment.
- Be sure to mention Case No. EA-2024-0237.
- Comments are limited to 750 characters, but you can attach a PDF with longer statements as an attachment.
What can you say? The Castle Bluff Energy Center is bad for the environment, is a risky financial move, and is far from the only option.
The Castle Bluff Energy Center is bad for the environment.
- The center burns “natural” gas, a fossil fuel made mostly of methane.
- Methane emissions trap over 82.5 times more heat than carbon dioxide emissions.
- Increased methane emissions are a public health risk.
- Increased methane emissions are a public health risk which racial and economic inequalities will exacerbate, meaning BIPOC and low-income individuals will experience the worst and first damages.
The Castle Bluff Energy Center is a risky investment.
- Methane gas prices are extremely volatile.
- The plant is required to have an expensive carbon capture sequestration system, which is a type of technology that has never been proven effective at significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
There are better options for the environment and the economy.
- Renewable energy, especially solar and wind, is cheaper than ever before.
- Renewable energy, especially solar and wind, is more reliable than ever before.
- Methane gas is a limited resource. Solar and wind are not.
Submit your comment and make your voice heard today!