Ameren seeks to build natural-gas power plant in West Alton

WEST ALTON, Mo.—Ameren Missouri hopes to build a new natural-gas power plant in Saint Charles County. The energy company’s submission to the state’s Public Service Commission requests for a 2,100 megawatt facility to be located at Ameren’s existing Sioux Energy Center in West Alton.

Called the West Alton Energy Center, the company hopes it will be operating by 2031.

The center is expected to provide reliable, around-the-clock baseload power for customers while keeping costs as low as possible, according to Ameren’s website. It also boasts in-state generation that is dependable for its customers and growing communities.

Financial details were not disclosed, but Ameren Missouri does requested a determination of the amount of Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) that could be included in rate base.

Sierra Club, a conservation and climate advocate organization, is concerned the costs could rise through the CWIP.

“If granted by the Public Service Commission, Ameren will be allowed to increase monthly bills to pay for construction years in advance of the gas plant providing service to customers, like generating electricity,” per the Sierra Club.

The club would rather see increased efforts of solar and storage, noting that natural gas is susceptible to quick price spikes during extreme weather and market fluctuations.

A prehearing conference is set for August 20th, with the deadline for applications to intervene coming up on August 17th.