The Real Reason Energy Bills Are Rising in Missouri and Kansas
Atmos Energy just asked for an $11.20-a-month rate increase, and politicians immediately rushed to blame the utility.
But here’s the truth Pete Mundo flagged on the air: It’s not the utilities. It’s the climate mandates.
For years, blue mayors and county commissioners across Missouri and Kansas have quietly signed onto regional net-zero pledges that force utilities to overhaul infrastructure, change their energy mix, and comply with expensive new regulations. Those costs don’t vanish — they show up on your monthly bill.
The Kansas City Regional Net-Zero Plan: The Big Driver
The Mid-America Regional Council’s KC Climate Action Plan commits counties on both sides of the state line to a net-zero 2050 framework.
- Missouri counties in the plan: Cass, Clay, Jackson, Platte, Ray
- Kansas counties in the plan: Douglas, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Wyandotte
These mandates directly affect utility operations — and costs.
City-Level Climate Plans Add More Pressure
Major cities are stacking their own climate rules on top:
- Kansas City, MO – Climate Protection & Resiliency Plan
- Columbia, MO – Climate Action Plan
- St. Louis – Clean Energy Advisory Board
- Wichita, KS – Draft plan targeting 50% emissions cuts
- Lawrence, KS – 80% reduction goal
Every plan = more mandates = higher utility costs = higher rates.
Bloomberg’s Climate Mayors Club Makes It Worse
Several local mayors have even joined the Bloomberg Climate Mayors network, pledging their cities to even more aggressive climate goals:
Kansas City. Columbia. St. Peters. Webster Groves. University City. Prairie View.
Great for their résumés. Terrible for ratepayers.
Stop Blaming the Utilities
Utilities are operating under rules written by politicians who chase national green trends without thinking about local consequences.
Net-zero mandates created this mess.
Politicians created the mandates.
Ratepayers are stuck paying for both.
If Missouri and Kansas families want lower bills, the first step is holding accountable the officials who signed onto these costly climate schemes — not the utilities forced to comply.
November 21, 2025