Original Author: Courney Risner, Revised by Grace McKevitt and Eric Gershilevich

Problem Definition Statement

There is a lack of sufficient resources to combat the unequal distribution of energy production and energy consumption in Missouri. Missouri currently consumes eight times more energy than it produces. Fossil-fuel energy sources currently dominate the energy industry in Missouri, but create emissions that are harmful to the environment. Other non-fossil fuel alternatives, like wind and solar energy, are less reliable and often more expensive than nuclear energy production. Missouri is wasting capital, labor, and money on these inefficient, unsafe, and environmentally harmful energy production methods. There is also a scarcity of new and effective legislation as outdated policies, such as the Constructive Work in Progress Law (Proposition 1), stifles Missouri’s nuclear progress. Though, new legislation, such as HB 261, which would reverse the effects of Proposition 1, has recently been introduced. The adaptation of HB 261 would result in an expansion of green and safe nuclear energy production across the state. We are advocating for the use of more nuclear energy as a solution to Missouri’s energy consumption crisis.