Nixon signs energy efficiency legislation

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon has signed legislation allowing utilities to charge customers for energy-savings programs.

State utility regulators already have allowed some utilities to factor the cost of their energy-savings initiatives into the basic rates they charge customers.

The legislation signed Monday specifically allows utilities to recoup their costs for such programs and requires them to be listed as a separate line-item on electric bills.

Some utility officials and consumer advocates say the new law ultimately should save people money. That's because the energy-savings programs are intended to prevent or delay the need for new power plants, which would be more costly for customers to finance.