Missouri Lawmakers Weigh Data Center Growth and Power Costs

Missouri lawmakers, utilities, and communities are weighing data center expansion against the cost of supplying large new electricity loads.

Ameren Missouri reports contracts totaling 2.2 gigawatts and plans to increase generation capacity, while state rules require large users to cover grid-connection costs and sign long-term contracts. The central dispute is whether those protections will prevent residential customers from absorbing costs for new generation, while communities also assess water use, tax incentives, jobs, and local quality-of-life effects.