PR-12-73 -- PSC Approves Ameren Missouri Request To Sell Coal For Refinement And To Lease Property At The Rush Island Plant

Contact: Kevin Kelly (573) 751-9300

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- DECEMBER 8, 2011

JEFFERSON CITY---The Missouri Public Service Commission has approved an application filed by Union Electric Company d/b/a Ameren Missouri which authorizes Ameren Missouri to sell coal and lease a small portion of its property at the Rush Island Power Plant as part of a program to utilize refined coal in order to lower costs and reduce emissions.

Ameren Missouri’s application stated the coal would be sold to Buffington Partners, LLC (“BP”), starting in December 2011 and continuing for 10 years.  BP would refine the coal using a proprietary process (known as Chem-Mod) designed to reduce emissions from the coal and then sell the coal back to Ameren Missouri at the same price for use at the plant.  In addition, Ameren Missouri’s application sought approval to lease a small portion of its plant site to BP so that BP could place its coal refinement facilities on the site.

Based upon a thorough review of the filings, testimony and exhibits in this case, the Commission determined that Ameren Missouri’s proposed sale of the coal and lease of property will benefit the public since the coal will be environmentally improved by the Chem-Mod process and the emissions at the Rush Island Power Plant will be reduced by the treatment process.  In addition, the Commission noted that payments made by BP to Ameren Missouri will offset plant operations and maintenance expenses to the benefit of Ameren Missouri’s customers.

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Case No. EO-2012-0146