Data Center Signal is tracking 13 clips about Ameren Missouri data center developments across 1 states, including MO.
St. Louis aldermen have given initial approval to new rules for data center development after weeks of negotiations, including a compromise on green energy requirements. Concurrently, a specific data center project in the former Famous Barr warehouse has received approval from the board.
Ameren Missouri has proposed a new 2,100-megawatt natural gas energy plant in West Alton, Missouri, to address growing energy demands, pending regulatory approval. This development coincides with the St. Charles County Council's recent approval of a six-month moratorium on large-scale data center developments due to concerns over infrastructure and energy needs. Ameren also seeks permission to finance the project by passing costs to customers during construction.
Missouri Senate Bill 4, passed in 2025, restructured utility regulation in the state to address concerns about power bills and data center energy consumption. The bill mandates "large-load tariffs" for investor-owned utilities serving data centers, requiring long-term contracts and payments for grid strain. While proponents laud it as a strict consumer protection measure, critics argue it may not go far enough and could still burden existing customers with costs related to new power generation for data centers.
Ameren Missouri has filed a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission to increase electric rates in mid-2027, citing costs for system upgrades and new power generation. The utility states that data center projects will contribute $21 million in customer savings over the next two years and that data centers are required to pay 100% of their connection costs. The PSC will conduct an 11-month review of the proposal.
Missouri's efforts to regulate hyperscale data centers, particularly their energy consumption, are lagging behind their rapid expansion. Senate Bill 4, enacted last year, aims to make large energy users pay for their own infrastructure costs, but critics argue it has loopholes and could lead to increased reliance on natural gas and costs passed to consumers. Local communities are resorting to moratoriums in the absence of comprehensive state-level regulation.
Ameren Missouri received unanimous approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission for its largest solar facility in Reform, Callaway County, which aims to diversify the grid and meet the growing demand from large users like data centers. While the facility, expected online by 2028, addresses future energy needs for data centers planned by Google and Amazon in New Florence, concerns have been raised by the Office of the Public Counsel regarding cost allocation for large-load users versus residential customers.
Ameren Missouri received approval from the Missouri Public Service Commission to build a 250-megawatt solar farm in Callaway County, set to be Missouri's largest. The facility will primarily supply energy to large-load consumers like data centers, including planned Google and Amazon facilities. The Office of Public Counsel raised concerns about cost allocation, suggesting large-load consumers should bear the full cost.
Missouri lawmakers are examining the economic benefits and drawbacks of data center development, particularly concerning increased electricity demand. Ameren Missouri plans a 50% boost in energy capacity to serve future data centers, which has raised consumer cost concerns. The discussions in the House Utilities Committee aim to explore potential policy responses to manage the data center boom's impact.
Missouri lawmakers are discussing the economic benefits of a data center boom in the state, including jobs and tax revenue. However, consumer advocates have raised concerns that residents may bear the cost of new power plants needed to meet the increased energy demands of these facilities. A utility law passed last year dictates that residential customers will not be charged for utility investments made to serve energy-intensive data centers.
Missouri lawmakers are exploring the economic benefits and energy demands of data centers. Ameren Missouri plans a 50% increase in energy generation capacity by 2028, largely in response to anticipated data center usage, with new utility laws aiming to prevent residential customers from bearing the costs for data center energy investments. However, consumer advocates express concerns that residents will still pay for new power plants built for future data centers.
Festus city leaders have reached a tentative agreement for a $6 billion data center project with developer CRG. The deal includes an unnamed technology tenant covering energy costs and a binding agreement with Ameren Missouri. Residents are invited to a public meeting to voice their opinions on the proposed development, which has faced significant community opposition.
Festus officials have reached a proposed development agreement with CRG for a $6 billion data center project on 360 acres in Jefferson County. The deal stipulates that CRG will cover all energy, water, sewer, and street upgrade costs, ensuring no adverse impact on city residents or water supply. The agreement is subject to approval.
A controversial data center proposal will go before the City of St. Louis' Zoning Section for a conditional use hearing in March after months of fiery debate over the project. The data center is part of a $3 billion "Armory Innovation District" development in Midtown St. Louis.