PSC denies Ameren request to end solar energy rebate

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- The Missouri Public Service Commission has ruled that Ameren Missouri should continue giving rebates to customers who install solar energy systems in their homes or businesses for at least another 120 days.

The utility was seeking to end the practice after a Cole County judge declared the rebate program unconstitutional June 29. The rebate program was part of 2008's Proposition C, passed by Missouri voters, which required the state's utilities to begin generating electricity using renewable energy resources.

Only Ameren and Kansas City Power and Light have been paying out the rebate, which credits the customer $2 per installed watt, with a cap of 25,000 watts.

Cole County Circuit Court Judge Daniel Green ruled June 29 that the solar rebate was unconstitutional; that ruling has been appealed by Proposition C's authors Renew Missouri of Columbia and others.