Missouri activists protest Ameren plan to power data centers with coal and natural gas
More than 50 activists protested outside Ameren Missouri's St. Louis headquarters over the utility's plan to expand fossil-fuel generation, which Ameren says is needed largely because of rising electricity demand from data centers. The plan would add natural-gas plants and extend operation of coal facilities, but it still requires approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission.
More than 50 people marched to Ameren Missouri's St. Louis headquarters to oppose the utility's long-range resource plan, which calls for nine new natural-gas plants and extended operation of two coal plants. Ameren said the additional generation is primarily needed to meet growing demand from large data centers moving to Missouri.
The protest was organized by the People's Joy Parade and the Sierra Club, with participation from local housing and environmental groups. Demonstrators called for renewable energy, lower electricity bills and an end to extended coal-plant operations, while Ameren executive Ajay Arora said keeping the Labadie plant open longer would support reliability and affordability. The resource plan and a proposed customer rate increase remain subject to review by the Missouri Public Service Commission.