Missouri sets public hearings on Ameren’s proposed West Alton power plant

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

WEST ALTON, Mo. (KBSI) — Missouri regulators will hold two public hearings this month on Ameren Missouri’s proposed natural gas power plant.

Ameren wants to build the 2,100-megawatt West Alton Energy Center in St. Charles County. The utility says the plant would help meet growing electricity demand across its service area, including in Southeast Missouri.

The plant would have three generating units capable of supplying power around the clock. Ameren says the facility could help meet demand during extreme weather and periods of heavy electricity use.

Rob Dixon, Ameren Missouri’s vice president of regulatory and legislative affairs, said natural gas would complement other power sources. The plant could generate electricity when wind and solar output drops. Dixon said generating more power in Missouri could also reduce Ameren’s need to buy electricity when prices rise elsewhere.

“Well, the electric grid is a shared resource, and all of our different generation facilities serve our customers all across the state,” Dixon said.

Ameren wants to build the plant next to its Sioux Energy Center, which has operated for more than six decades. Dixon said Ameren already owns the land and could use nearby transmission infrastructure to connect the plant to the grid. He said that would help control costs.

Ameren’s long-term plan calls for West Alton to begin operating in 2031 and Sioux to retire by the end of 2035. Dixon did not specify how long the two plants would operate at the same time.

Data center demand and project costs

Dixon said Ameren began planning for West Alton before it saw an increase in data centers. He said rising electricity demand is prompting Ameren to build some projects sooner and could require larger facilities.

Dixon pointed to Missouri’s Senate Bill 4, which requires large electricity users to pay their share of the costs of serving them. Ameren says data centers must cover all upfront costs to connect to the grid. The utility says they must also pay a share of generation costs.

Ameren has not released an exact construction cost, citing its procurement process. It has asked the Missouri Public Service Commission to determine which costs could qualify for recovery during construction. Ameren says collecting some costs earlier could reduce long-term financing costs. The commission would have to approve any future rate changes.

Ameren estimates the project would support more than 1,000 construction jobs over several years. The utility expects about 45 permanent jobs once the plant opens. It also expects the project to generate tax revenue for St. Charles County and the state.

How to weigh in

The project still needs state approval. Dixon said Ameren asked the commission for approval by early spring 2027. The commission’s calendar lists an evidentiary hearing in April 2027. If regulators approve the project, Ameren expects the plant to begin operating in late 2031.

Dixon said the public hearings give residents a chance to ask about the project and tell regulators what they think.

The first hearing begins at 6 p.m. Nov. 18 at St. Charles Community College, 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville. The commission will hold a virtual hearing at 6 p.m. Nov. 19.

The commission encourages residents to register in advance. Residents can also submit written comments using case number EA-2026-0226.

For hearing details and instructions on how to submit comments, visit the Missouri Public Service Commission.

To learn more about the proposed plant, visit www.ameren.com.