The Problem
Rising electricity demand and retiring coal plants put Missouri at risk of higher prices and unreliable power.
The Solution
Create a nuclear advisory council and explore consumer-regulated electricity (CRE) to position Missouri for next-generation nuclear power.
Key Facts
- Nuclear energy is reliable, powerful, and clean.
- 71% of Americans agree that the United States should “definitely build more nuclear power plants in the future,” up from 47% in 1998.
- Businesses rank energy availability among their top priorities in site-selection decisions.
The Growing Demand for Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power has played a pivotal role in meeting historical energy needs. Today, electricity demand is growing and the primary drivers are well known: data centers, artificial intelligence, and industrial manufacturing.
Amid rising demand, nuclear energy has emerged as a rare point of political agreement, as both the Biden and Trump administrations have endorsed more nuclear power—with the latter issuing pivotal executive orders to bring long-needed reform. Outside the Oval Office, the ADVANCE Act (for nuclear energy) flew through the Senate (88-2) and the House (393-13) before being signed by President Biden.
Missouri has long possessed unique strengths to lead in nuclear energy, but now, national-level momentum and reform have created new opportunities.
A Missouri Nuclear Advisory Council
Tennessee’s nuclear advisory council has seen tremendous success since its creation by executive order in 2023.
Missouri could form a similar council to unite the state’s brightest minds in the energy sector to identify regulatory, workforce, and educational challenges and strengths while highlighting opportunities such as coal-to-nuclear transitions—at no cost to taxpayers.
The council could reduce risk and uncertainty for both international and domestic developers by providing centralized and accessible information, as well as clearly signaling the state’s resolve and intentions to be a dedicated partner in nuclear development.
Bringing the Free Market into Energy
Consumer-regulated electricity (CRE) is an emerging policy that would allow off-grid electricity providers to build their own power plants and transmission lines to serve new customers faster and with less red tape. To be free from Missouri Public Service Commission (MPSC) regulations, CRE providers would need to be unconnected to the regular grid and only serve new, large industrial and commercial customers. These providers would still be subject to federal regulation from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other federal agencies.
CRE could help Missouri meet demand growth, attract investment by companies quickly seeking stable energy, lower costs for utilities and ratepayers, and spur innovation.
To allow CRE, Missouri would need to modify state statute such that new off-grid electricity providers are not subject to monopoly regulation (assuming they are unconnected to existing infrastructure, do not cross state lines, and only serve large customers). New Hampshire moved forward with CRE in 2025. Missouri could do so as well.
Policy Recommendations
- Establish a Missouri Nuclear Advisory Council.
- Through CRE, inject market forces into the energy sector by exempting off-grid electricity providers from MPSC monopoly regulation.
