Lawmakers and advocates rally at Missouri Capitol for energy choice legislation, testify at a Senate hearing as consumers grapple with costly electric bills 

 JEFFERSON CITY (March 31, 2026) –– As electric rates continue to rise for Missourians, momentum continues to build in Jefferson City for a solution that will give consumers the power to hold electric utility companies accountable. At a press conference Tuesday, competitive energy market advocates and the sponsors of three legislative bills to break up the utility monopoly model addressed the growing support to establish an energy market that gives consumers the ability to shop for their electric supply –– forcing utilities and other suppliers to compete for the business of consumers. 

Three Missouri lawmakers have introduced legislation to restructure the state’s utility energy structure, establishing a competitive market for consumers to benefit from. Those bills are: 

● Senate Bill 1411 – Sponsored by Sen. Nick Schrorer (St. Charles County) 

● House Bill 2207 – Sponsored by Rep. Don Mayhew (Miller and Pulaski Counties) 

● House Bill 2233 – Sponsored by Rep. Tricia Byrnes (St. Charles County) 

“Utilities are the only service in Missouri where we have legalized monopolies,” said Sen. Nick Schroer, sponsor of Senate Bill 1411. “Missourians deserve the right to hold utility companies accountable and the freedom to choose which company they want to buy electricity from. As state leaders, we must put the power in the hands of the people by giving them options and forcing utilities to compete for the business of consumers.” 

“This is a peace of mind solution that puts consumers first,” said Angela Viviano of O’Fallon. Viviano lives in Sen. Schroer’s district and is grateful for his leadership, as well as the House bill sponsors, in addressing energy affordability in Missouri. “Missouri families like mine make so many sacrifices, and I’m advocating for them and other families to have the chance to seek better rates and hold utilities accountable.” 

Organizations participating in the press conference included: My Energy Choice, Americans for Prosperity-Missouri, MO Tax Relief Now, and Missouri Industrial Energy Consumers. Leaders of these advocacy groups served as a voice for Missourians who want free-markets, lower costs, and economic growth. They shared consumer cost concerns under the current utility structure, and applauded lawmakers for standing up for their constituents by advocating for a competitive energy market. 

“Missourians are seeing their electric bills rise year after year, with no ability to shop for better options. Meanwhile, utilities are asking for more projects and more spending — all backed by guaranteed returns paid by ratepayers,” said Camellia Peterson, legislative director for Americans for Prosperity-Missouri. “This legislation is a step toward energy freedom, giving families and businesses real choices and helping bring long-overdue cost discipline to the system.” 

“Two dozen states in the country offer some form of competition, and more are considering restructuring their energy market because of the unstable energy market monopolized by electric utilities,” said Chris Ercoli, president and CEO of the Retail Energy Advancement League. “All consumers, large and small, deserve the right to have energy options and be able to choose an energy product and price that works best for them and their budgets.” 

Following Tuesday’s press conference, consumer groups, large energy users, policy institutes, energy companies and others testified in favor of Senate Bill 1411 during a hearing before the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection, Energy & the Environment Committee as the bill continues to move through the legislative process. 

“Utilities can now bill for billion-dollar power plants before a shovel ever hits the ground — printing themselves sky-high guaranteed profits — while families are left wondering if they can even afford to keep the lights on,” said Rep. Don Mayhew, sponsor of House Bill 2207. “That’s not a free market. That’s a government-protected monopoly, and it’s costing families and businesses more every month.” 

“My constituents are fed up with high electricity costs and no choices,” said Rep. Tricia Byrnes, sponsor of House Bill 2233. “Families are opening their electric bills and wondering how they’re going to afford them. Small businesses are trying to stay afloat while their costs keep climbing. And right now, they have no other option.” 

House Bills 2207 and 2233 have been referred to the House General Laws Committee. A hearing for the House bills is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon where advocates are slated to testify in favor of the bills. 

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Companion bill for the Energy Freedom & Fairness Act introduced in the House to relieve energy demand pressure on utilities, protect ratepayers from new generation costs

CHARLESTON, WV (Feb. 11, 2026) –– Del. Tristan Leavitt has introduced House Bill 5411, the Energy Freedom & Fairness Act, in the House chamber. This legislation allows commercial and industrial companies to purchase electricity supply directly from competitive electric suppliers rather than being limited to a single utility option, helping them better manage rising energy costs.

House Bill 5411 is a companion bill to Senate Bill 733, recently introduced by Sen. Patricia Rucker.

“Affordable electricity isn’t a luxury — it’s a necessity for West Virginia families and the employers who provide their jobs,” said bill sponsor, Del. Tristan Leavitt. “When energy costs keep climbing, businesses are forced to make tough decisions, and those costs eventually show up in paychecks, prices, and lost opportunities. This bill gives large employers a responsible way to control their energy costs. It’s a practical solution that promotes fairness, strengthens our economy, and helps keep West Virginia competitive.”

The Retail Energy Advancement League (REAL), a national organization advocating for energy market expansion and consumer choices, applauds Sen. Leavitt for championing legislation that will provide commercial and industrial businesses with a choice in their power supply.

“The concept is simple: allow large energy users to have direct access to an energy marketplace to meet their electricity needs the same way utility companies do,” said Chris Ercoli, president and CEO of the Retail Energy Advancement League.“Allowing large energy users to access competitive electric supply is a practical solution that can reduce their cost pressures, encourage new power generation from independent power producers, and ease the strain on utility systems — benefiting all ratepayers in the long run. We applaud Sen. Leavitt for his comprehensive approach to help support West Virginia’s energy needs.”

Both bills are supported by the West Virginia Energy Users Group (WVEUG) and the West Virginia Manufacturers Association (WVMA).

Electricity is a top three operational cost for commercial and industrial businesses. Neighboring states, such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, already allow large energy users to procure their own electricity and secure significant savings –– West Virginia risks falling further behind.

According to a study by Cleveland State University, commercial and industrial energy customers in Ohio collectively save an average of $1.17 billion annually by having access to a competitive electricity marketplace.

“West Virginia manufacturers depend on affordable, reliable electricity to compete, grow, and keep people working,” said Bill Bissett, president of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association. “Energy costs are one of the biggest factors in whether manufacturers can grow and remain competitive. This legislation gives employers greater control over costs and reliability. It’s a smart, pro-jobs solution that builds on last year’s microgrid law and expands energy control to more in-state manufacturers. With this bill, lawmakers can strengthen our economy, protect jobs, and ensure West Virginia businesses remain competitive.”

Under current West Virginia law, residential, commercial, and industrial customers are required to receive electricity supply from their designated utility. This structure places the full burden of growing energy demand on utilities, requiring them to build or purchase additional power — costs that are ultimately passed on to all ratepayers. House Bill 5411 and Senate Bill 733 allow large energy users –– manufacturers, steel plants, tech companies –– to shop for their electricity from a supplier or power generator other than their utility company.

By allowing large energy users to procure their own electricity, this legislation positions West Virginia to attract new investment, strengthen grid reliability, and address rising energy costs without shifting financial burden onto households and small businesses. House Bill 5411 and Senate Bill 733 represent a commonsense step toward a more resilient, competitive energy future for the state.

About Retail Energy Advancement League (REAL)

The Retail Energy Advancement League (REAL) is a national advocacy organization dedicated to the expansion and modernization of American retail energy markets. In many states, utility monopolies still control the electric market and customers can’t choose where they buy their electricity and gas. Nearly half of all states in the U.S. offer some form of electricity competition to energy users.