Public Hearings to Address Proposed $4 Billion Gas Plant

The Missouri Public Service Commission will host upcoming hearings regarding a new natural gas project in Buchanan County.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Utilities

Public Hearings to Address Proposed $4 Billion Gas Plant

Live Poll

Should your community support new large-scale power plant construction to meet regional electricity demand?

The Missouri Public Service Commission has scheduled public hearings starting November 16, 2026, to review Evergy’s proposed $4 billion natural gas power plant. The facility is planned for Buchanan County and would include two 710-megawatt units to serve customers in Missouri and Kansas.

Why it matters

Evergy claims the project is necessary to meet growing regional electricity demand and satisfy tighter grid reliability requirements. Local residents have organized to express concerns about potential health, noise, and light pollution caused by the facility.

The proposed facility includes two 710-megawatt units designed to function as a 40-year asset. For comparison, the average U.S. home consumes 10,500 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

The players

Missouri Public Service Commission

This state regulatory body is responsible for overseeing the development and approval of utility projects in Missouri.

Evergy

This regional energy company provides electricity to millions of customers across Kansas and Missouri.

The details

The plant consists of two separate units, with one dedicated to Kansas customers and one to Missouri customers. Evergy has initiated communication with residents living in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site through mailed notices.

Monday, Nov. 16, 2026: In-person public hearing at 6 p.m. at Missouri Western State University.
Monday, Nov. 16, 2026: Deadline to register for WebEx public hearings.
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026: Virtual public hearings held via WebEx.
Spring 2032: Anticipated operational date for the facility.

Market Landscape

This project follows established Missouri Public Service Commission regulatory review protocols for major utility infrastructure. It positions Evergy to address long-term regional capacity shifts while navigating the increasing scrutiny placed on large-scale fossil fuel investments.

Local residents in the immediate vicinity may be directly affected by construction noise and light pollution if the project proceeds. The outcome of these hearings will influence long-term regional electricity reliability and utility service planning for the area.

The takeaway

Public participation in commission hearings provides a formal channel for residents to influence utility infrastructure development. Stakeholders should review the hearing schedule to ensure their input is recorded during the approval process.