Missouri Utility Proposes Gas-Fired Plant in Buchanan County Amid Data Center Demand
Evergy, Kansas City's electricity provider, has sought approval from Missouri's utility regulator to construct a 710-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Buchanan County, citing surging data center demand. An opinion piece argues against this proposal, advocating for cleaner energy alternatives like a solar array near Kansas City International Airport instead. The author highlights the environmental impact and the need for regulators to reject the gas plant plan.
Evergy, the primary electricity provider for Kansas City, has submitted a request to the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) for permission to build a 710-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Buchanan County. This proposal is largely driven by a significant increase in electricity demand, primarily from massive data centers under development in the Kansas City area, including the Nebius data center in Independence, which alone requires substantial power.
The article, an opinion piece, criticizes Evergy's plan, arguing that the PSC should reject the project. The author, Karen Uhlenhuth of the Citizens Climate Lobby, Kansas City chapter, points out that despite previous commitments to clean energy, Evergy's updated resource plans show a move towards fossil fuels, which will increase carbon emissions and exacerbate climate change. She suggests an alternative: resurrecting a stalled proposal for a solar array on city-owned land adjacent to Kansas City International Airport.
Uhlenhuth asserts that renewable energy sources like wind and solar remain financially competitive, even without federal tax credits. She urges the PSC to deny Evergy's carbon-intensive plan to compel the utility to explore more sustainable options for powering the region. The author also provides contact information for the Office of Public Counsel and the Public Service Commission staff, encouraging public feedback on the matter.