Mo. creates 'hot weather' rule, lets Aquila keep power plant

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missourians struggling to pay their bills will have help staying cool during hot summer months.

Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder signed legislation barring electric or natural gas companies from shutting off service when the temperature is likely to rise above 95 degrees or the heat index above 105 degrees.

The legislation also allows Missouri regulators to retroactively approve a Cass County power plant that Aquila built without local zoning approval in 2005. State courts had ordered Aquila to tear down the plant after the county sued.

Kinder signed the bills last week and held a ceremonial signing Monday in suburban St. Louis. Kinder has gubernatorial authority until next week, because Gov. Matt Blunt is out of state.