Missouri is being reshaped by forces most residents never got to vote on. As tech giants like Google and Amazon move to build massive new data centers in our state, the energy demands of artificial intelligence and cloud computing are being quietly added to our already fragile power grid.

While Ameren and the Missouri Public Service Commission have agreed on a rate plan that includes some consumer protections, there are still too many unanswered questions — and too few guarantees — for everyday Missourians.

Residents are rightly concerned about what these facilities will mean for our electric bills, especially as utilities close older plants and shift costs to fund infrastructure for ultra-large customers. The “slightly higher” rates paid by data centers do not eliminate the risk of rate hikes, brownouts, or costly grid upgrades passed down to the rest of us. Meanwhile, vague language like “reasonably expect to use 75 megawatts” leaves too much room for loopholes.

We’re also alarmed that these high-impact projects are being approved without robust local input. Communities like Festus and St. Charles are learning about these plans after they’ve already been set in motion. These aren’t just business deals — they’re decisions that will shape Missouri’s environment, economy, and energy future for decades.

That’s why we are calling on the Missouri Public Service Commission, Ameren Missouri, the Department of Commerce & Insurance, and the Missouri General Assembly to:

• Halt further data center approvals until independent reviews of infrastructure, environmental impact, and long-term energy reliability can be conducted.
• Guarantee that residential and small business rates will not rise due to new large-load customers.
• Ensure all new data center proposals undergo local public hearings before approval.
• Strengthen the contractual safeguards to prevent Big Tech from walking away and leaving Missouri residents with the bill.

Our energy future shouldn’t be written by corporations behind closed doors. It should be built transparently, with real public input, and with protections for every Missourian.

Photo: Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch