Business

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has put a freeze on issuing licenses for new plants and 20-year renewals for existing ones following a ruling by a federal Appeals Court.

The US Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit ruled in June that the practice of allowing nuclear plants to store spent fuel rods on site doesn’t meet federal environmental standards.  The decision in essence bars the awarding of any new licenses until the industry begins addressing the problem of storing nuclear waste.

Columbia city officials announced today Tuesday a new plant scheduled to open this fall is expected to bring more than 60 jobs to Columbia in the next five years.

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A Kansas City company has announced plans for a $400 million high-power transmission line in northwest Missouri.

The St. Joseph News-Press reports that Kansas City Power and Light will partner with the Omaha Public Power District to build the 150- to 190-mile transmission line. The precise route hasn't been determined, but the line is intended to connect Sibley, Missouri with Nebraska City, Nebraska.

The company says planners will spend the next year identifying the possible routes. Officials hope to have the transmission line in service by June 2017.

Missouri businesses directly harmed by the summer heat and drought can get low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Small nonfarm businesses, agricultural cooperatives and nonprofit organizations are eligible for up to $2 million for expenses caused by the drought. The deadline for loans is March and applications can be submitted online at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/.