Rising Costs. No Options. It’s Time for Competition.
Missouri families and businesses are facing rising electric bills — with no ability to shop for alternatives.
Unlike most markets, electricity in Missouri is controlled by monopoly utilities that both build power plants and sell electricity — earning guaranteed returns funded by ratepayers.
When costs rise, customers pay. When projects go over budget, customers pay. When utilities build new plants, customers pay — even before they’re completed.
The monopoly model isn’t working.
Rates are rising fast
Missouri electric rates have increased 5th fastest in the U.S., but utilities have built less than 1,000 MWs of new power generation – all from renewables – in the last decade.
Customers are paying upfront
Last year’s Senate Bill 4 (CWIP) allows utilities to charge customers for power plants during construction — shifting more risk to ratepayers.
More costly projects are coming
Utilities are planning billions in new generation and infrastructure to replace retiring power plants and serve new loads, with costs and guaranteed profits passed directly to customers.
No competition, no choice
Missourians cannot shop for electricity — there is no competitive pressure to control costs.
Missouri lawmakers have introduced legislation to break up the monopoly, modernize the energy market and give customers options.
Legislation (2026)
The grid stays regulated. Reliability stays protected. Customers gain choice.
Two dozen states already allow some form of competition. In 14 of those state, utilities compete alongside private suppliers without a guaranteed profit.
The result: