Public Service Commission approves Ameren Missouri large-load rate plan with consumer protections
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., (KBSI) – The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved a unanimous settlement establishing a new large-load rate plan for Ameren Missouri customers with monthly peak power demands of 75 megawatts or more. The plan aims to support economic growth while protecting existing consumers from absorbing unfair costs.
The agreement was signed by Ameren Missouri, PSC Staff, Evergy Metro Inc., Evergy Missouri West Inc., Google LLC, Renew Missouri, the Sierra Club and the Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers. Commissioners said the plan meets the needs of major electricity users — including data centers and large manufacturers — while ensuring they pay their fair share of system costs.
Under the approved plan:
Large-load customers, new or existing, may use the rate option if they reasonably forecast a monthly maximum demand of at least 75 megawatts during the contract term.
Customers must commit to a minimum 12-year contract, with an optional five-year load ramp period for a potential 17-year total term.
Participating customers must provide collateral equal to two years of minimum monthly bills.
Service agreements will automatically renew in five-year increments unless the customer provides 36 months’ written notice to terminate. Customers ending service will be subject to an exit fee and early termination charges, with additional fees for less than 36 months’ notice.
All costs to serve large-load customers must be fully recovered under the tariff.
A portion of excess revenues from large-load customers will be returned to Ameren’s broader customer base, with half dedicated exclusively to low-income customers.
Large-load customers may participate in optional generation and capacity programs, including nuclear and clean-energy initiatives.
The approval represents a major step in implementing Senate Bill 4, passed in 2025, which requires that other customer classes not bear unjust or unreasonable costs tied to large-load customers. PSC officials said the plan aligns with similar tariffs nationwide and positions Missouri to compete for major economic development projects.
