Evergy Proposes 710MW Gas Plant Near Gower

Evergy is pursuing regulatory approval in Missouri and Kansas to construct the Buchanan Bluffs Energy Center Unit 2, a 710-megawatt combined-cycle gas turbine facility. The project, slated for completion by 2032, will be located southeast of State Route E and south of Highway 169, just west of Gower, Missouri. The infrastructure plan involves two distinct generating units, with one dedicated to serving Missouri’s grid and the other supplying power to Kansas. This expansion aims to provide firm, dispatchable generation to meet growing regional energy demands and reduce reliance on market-purchased electricity.

The proposal has triggered immediate backlash from local stakeholders who cite insufficient public notification and significant environmental health risks. Joy Budine, owner of Joy of Learning Farm School, expressed alarm over the proximity of the plant to 30 to 35 children aged three to six who attend the facility daily. Residents, including Thalia Insco and Sandra Verdi, reported learning of the project primarily through social media rather than official channels. Verdi highlighted the location’s five-mile distance from the East Buchanan School District, raising specific concerns about air quality, emissions, and the health impacts on the community’s youth.

Regulatory Review and Local Opposition

Community members are actively filing complaints with the Missouri Public Service Commission to register their objections. Insco is urging neighbors to submit electronic complaints or leave voicemails to ensure the commission documents widespread local resistance. The commission has set an intervention deadline of September 17, a critical milestone for stakeholders seeking to influence the outcome of the licensing process. The concentration of complaints reflects a broader effort to challenge the timing and location of the industrial development.

Environmental groups have weighed in on the potential ecological costs. The Environmental Defense Fund noted that natural gas-fired facilities contribute to various forms of air pollution, which can lead to adverse health effects and environmental degradation. While Evergy frames the project as a stability measure against volatile market pricing, opponents argue that the local health and environmental burdens outweigh the projected grid benefits. The debate centers on the trade-offs between energy security and community welfare in rural Buchanan County.

Company Rationale for Expansion

Evergy asserts that the Buchanan Bluffs expansion is a critical investment for customer service and grid reliability. The company states that owning and operating this generation capacity allows it to avoid the price instability associated with purchasing power from open markets. By providing firm generation, Evergy aims to support economic development in Northwest Missouri while meeting increasing energy consumption. The company emphasizes that this controlled generation source is essential for maintaining service quality and stability for its customer base.

Project Timeline and Site Details

The physical construction of the two units is expected to be completed by 2032, assuming all regulatory hurdles are cleared. The site selection near Gower places the facility in a rural area, a factor that has intensified local concerns about the disruption to the existing landscape and quietude. The dual-unit design ensures that the generation capacity is split between the two states, creating a cross-border energy infrastructure project. The final decision rests with the state public service commissions, which will weigh the company’s stability arguments against the documented community and environmental concerns.