Missouri companies considering partnership to build power plant

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (AP) -- Two Missouri electric companies and a Nebraska company are considering a $1 billion partnership to build a 600-megawatt power plant.

Springfield City Utilities, Joplin-based Empire District Electric Co. and Omaha, Neb.-based Tenaska Energy have not yet signed any agreements regarding the proposed coal plant, said Bill Braudt Jr., general manager of project development at Tenaska.

Braudt said the companies were considering four sites: two in Missouri, one in Kansas and one in Oklahoma. Braudt would not disclose specific locations under consideration.

City Utilities is also considering a plan to build a $599 million, 275-megawatt plant in southwestern Greene County that the company would build, own and operate. Some are concerned that electric customers would object to the four-year, 17 percent electric rate increase required to build the plant.

City Utilities called off an August revenue bond vote on the 275-megawatt plant after Tenaska approached City Utilities general manager John Twitty about the proposal for the larger plant.

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On the Net:

Springfield City Utilities: http://www.cityutil.com

Empire District Electric Co.: http://www.empiredistrict.com

Tenaska Energy: http://www.tenaska.com