FESTUS, Mo. — A recent court ruling has opened the door for Ameren Missouri to shut down operations at its Rush Island generating plant south of Festus. The facility will be officially retired from service on Oct. 15.
“Although Rush Island is set for retirement, Ameren isn’t simply closing its doors and walking away. We are committed to this community,” said Marco Tipton, manager of community relations.
Ameren officials announced in 2022 the Rush Island plant, previously scheduled to operate through at least 2039, would be closed in 2024.
The Missouri Public Service Commission in late June issued an order authorizing Ameren Missouri to refinance its remaining debt plus the costs associated with decommissioning the Rush Island Energy Center. The ruling allows Ameren to issue just more than $461 million in bonds to be repaid over 15 years.
Officials estimate customers would have paid an additional $120 million over that period under the original repayment schedule.
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