Cindy O’Laughlin,the Republican state senator for Missouri's 18th district,has introduced Senate Bill 849,which would pause all ongoing and new utility-scale solar construction projects across the state until environmental regulations for their construction,location and operation have been established.

The bill requires the Department of Natural Resources to develop these regulations and mandates an immediate statewide pause on all new and existing solar projects.The suspension would end on 31 December 2027,unless the regulations are finalised by that date.

If passed,SB 849 would have a significant impact on Missouri’s solar industry,where only around 1.4%of electricity currently comes from utility-scale solar,and where a major ongoing project aims to double existing capacity.The legislature is also considering alternative regulatory measures,such as SB 213,which would introduce new county-level permitting,taxes,and land use limits,but avoid a full suspension.