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Missouri renewable energy

In 2016 about three-fourths of the electricity produced in Missouri came from coal. Missouri has one nuclear power plant, which provides about 12% of the state's electricity. Natural gas has been growing in popularity, and in 2016 accounted for about 8% of Missouri's total electricity production. Renewable energy sources contributed less than 4% of Missouri's electricity in 2016.

Most of Missouri's renewable energy comes from hydroelectric dams and wind farms. These sources, as well as solar energy, are likely to grow rapidly in the next few years due to Missouri's Renewable Portfolio Standard. This policy requires all investor-owned utilities to use at least 15% renewable energy by 2021. Biomass energy could also take off in Missouri, especially considering that about a third of the state is covered with forests.

 

Missouri Electricity Prices

Missouri has a regulated electricity market, whereby local utility companies set and control electricity prices, generation, and delivery in their service areas.

Fortunately, Missouri residents still benefit from lower electricity prices relative to the rest of the country. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average retail price of electricity for Missouri residents in December 2016 was 9.63¢ per kWh, which is 2.58¢ below the average U.S. electricity price of 12.21¢ per kWh.

Missouri Electricity RatesResidential electricity prices are still on the rise in Missouri, though, having increased more than 46% over the past 10 years. This trend has led to higher electricity bills for Missouri residents, motivating many to switch to renewable energy (i.e. go solar) to save money.

 

Missouri Energy Mix

Net Electricity Generation By Source:

Missouri Energy Mix

Source: Energy Information Administration, 2016

From 2011-2016, natural gas went from about 5% to 8% of total electricity production in Missouri. Over the same period, electricity production from coal has fallen over 22%. 

 

Missouri Energy Sector Employment

According to the Clean Jobs Missouri report, 6,050 Missourians worked in renewable energy by 2014, with the majority working in solar. The most common solar jobs in Missouri are installers, manufacturers, salespeople, and project managers. Some of the largest solar companies in Missouri are MC Power, Sun Solar, and SolarCity.

Fun fact: more Americans are employed by renewable energy than coal, oil, and gas combined, despite wind and solar energy only making up 5% of the total U.S. energy mix. According to a study from the University of California, Berkeley, solar energy creates over 7 times more jobs than coal or oil per MWh produced. The employment estimates for wind power differ from source to source, but most agree that it also produces more jobs than fossil fuels.

 

Missouri Utility Companies

Some of the largest electric utilities in Missouri are Ameren Corporation, Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), and Empire District Electric Company. Being in a regulated energy market, these utilities own the entire flow of electricity in their territories and also dictate electricity prices. As such, they are responsible for generating electricity, maintaining infrastructure, delivering electricity, and providing billing to all their residential and business customers across the state.

Ameren Corporation

  • Serves approximately 1.2 million electric customers in Missouri
  • Headquartered in St. Louis, MO
  • Founded in 1997


Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L)

  • Serves approximately 800,000 electric customers in Missouri and Kansas
  • Headquartered in Kansas City, MO
  • Founded in 1882


Empire District Electric Company

  • Serves approximately 218,000 electric customers in Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas
  • Headquartered in Joplin, MO
  • Founded in 1909

 

Arcadia's Missouri Renewable Energy Services


With Arcadia’s clean energy offerings, homeowners and renters across the state can now sign up to reduce their impact, be more energy efficient, and save on their energy bills while keeping their same utility company. Here are three programs currently available to Missouri residents:


Wind Energy

As a Missouri utility customer, you can reduce your impact by matching your home’s electricity usage with renewable energy certificates from wind farms. You can sign up for our 50% Wind Energy plan for free, and begin service with your next utility bill. All you need is your local utility login to link up with Arcadia’s platform and start supporting wind farms each month at no extra cost to you.

missouri wind power

Learn more about how it works >


Community Solar

We offer a community solar-savings program to homeowners and renters in Missouri. No matter where you live, you can subscribe to community solar projects across the country and start saving on your utility bill each month. There aren’t any installations, site visits, or equipment necessary, and if you move, your savings will even move with you.

missouri solar energy

See our projects and check availability in your area >


Zero-down Energy Efficient Products

Our pay-as-you-save energy program enables Missouri utility customers to access energy efficient products for $0 down. We will offer LED light bulbs, Wiser Air Smart Thermostats, and other home energy products to help you be more efficient and save on your utility bills. As an Arcadia customer, you can simply pay for your efficient products over time using the energy savings you’ll start seeing each month.

smart thermostat

Learn more and reserve your Smart Thermostat today >

 

 

Sources:
https://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=MO#tabs-4
http://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/missouri
http://www.cleanjobsmissouri.org/
https://www.ameren.com/
https://www.kcpl.com/
http://www.empiredistrict.com/