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Your Opinion: ISRS legislation supported

Doug Mertens, president Mertens Construction Co.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Dear Editor:

A recent letter to the editor on electric rates was yet another head-in-the-sand complaint. Never mind Missouri already has some of the lowest rates in the region and country.

What we need to be thinking about is how we are using our state’s advantages on energy to attract and retain jobs. That’s why I was happy to see the state Legislature might finally act on our state’s infrastructure issues — and protect our vital job creation engine.

Sen. Mike Kehoe’s ISRS legislation would remove unnecessary regulatory barriers that stifle electric infrastructure investment and raise the costs on electric utilities. If we’re going to attract major employers, especially high tech jobs like the Small Modular Reactor industry that’s getting so much attention, we can’t neglect our aging substations, power plants and other infrastructure.

This important bill will prioritize energy investments and foster job creation. Those seem like good benefits for a bill that also cuts back on unnecessary government bureaucracy. Missouri needs to invest now to remain competitive later. The best thing our elected officials can do to attract jobs, while also keeping our electric rates low, is support Sen. Kehoe’s legislation.

Issue-oriented letters to the editor in response to this or about other local topics are welcome. All letters should be limited to 400 words. The author's name must appear with the letter, and the name, address and phone number provided for verification. Letters that cannot be verified by telephone will not be published. Send letters for publication to editor@newstribune.com

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