Ameren Missouri is facing opposition from environmental groups over a long-term energy strategy that relies on additional natural gas plants and continued coal production.
More than 50 people demonstrated outside the utility’s St. Louis headquarters Saturday, objecting to plans for nine new gas plants and delayed retirement of two coal facilities.
The Sierra Club and People’s Joy Parade organized the protest, where participants also raised concerns about electricity bills and service disconnections.
Ameren expects growing demand from data centers to require additional generating capacity. Its proposal would keep all four units at the Labadie coal plant operating through 2042, rather than closing two units in 2036.
An Ameren executive told St. Louis Public Radio that extending operations would help control costs for customers.