Nuclear bill runs out of steam

After flinging their working papers into the air, members of the Missouri House of Representatives watch them float down to the floor on May 13, 2011, as the regular session of the General Assembly adjourned.
After flinging their working papers into the air, members of the Missouri House of Representatives watch them float down to the floor on May 13, 2011, as the regular session of the General Assembly adjourned.

With just 40 minutes left before their 2011 legislative session had to end, Missouri state senators began debating a compromise bill allowing Ameren Missouri or other utilities to seek, and win, a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission early site permit, then charge consumers for up to $45 million of the application costs.

It wasn't enough time.

"Obviously, I'm disappointed," Sen. Mike Kehoe, R-Jefferson City, said Friday night. "All session I've been saying I'd like to get a vote in the Senate.

"We had the votes - and failed to get it to the floor to get the votes."