Missouri fails to reach deal on nuclear plant

Senators considered a final attempt on the bill with less than an hour left before the annual session ended. Several senators worried there was too little time to consider the possible deal.

A voter-approved state law bars utilities from charging customers the costs of a new plant before it starts producing power. Utilities wanted that law changed so they could pass on the expense of getting an early site permit for a nuclear plant from federal regulators.

The measure faced opposition over concerns about protections for electric ratepayers.