Critics of President Obama’s recently announced climate change initiative have decried its impact on Missouri, one of a handful of coal-dependent states.

They warn of higher electricity costs and lost jobs, while supporters cite improved fuel efficiency and new jobs in alternative energy, as well as positive impact on the environment.

Time will tell what the outcome will be. Dire warnings and overreaching scenarios rarely play out in reality. The impact will likely be less than either side predicts.

Under the new rules, Missouri will have an opportunity to find its own way to compliance. Because we are among those states with high level of dependence on coal and a low level of efforts to address greenhouse gases, we are being held to a laxer standard, but will still be required to substantially reduce our carbon footprint over the next 15 years.

The state may not have a lot of experience taking serious steps to energy efficiency, but it does have an example to emulate.

City Utilities in Springfield has been preparing for the inevitable for several years. CU has already taken steps to meet anticipated Environmental Protection Agency standards and is poised to respond to whatever plans the state puts in place.

While the utility company has warned that its energy costs are expected to rise in response to the administration’s plans to cut power plant carbon emissions by 21 percent in Missouri, CU has cut its own emissions by 80 percent since 1990.

Two years ago, CU began taking steps recommended in a report by a consulting firm in anticipation of new federal regulations.

Those steps have included working to convert three of its five power units at the James River station from coal to natural gas.

In addition, the utility has increased its focus on renewable energy by moving toward more wind and solar power. There is a contract with a Kansas wind farm to provide up to 190,000 megawatt-hours of power each year through 2029, and a contract for hydroelectric power generated by the Southwestern Power Administration that will provide a minimum of 60,000 megawatt-hours of power a year.

CU is also building a solar farm in Greene County and is looking at more wind, hydro and solar energy possibilities.

The state’s Department of Natural Resources is poised to discuss ways of implementing the new EPA standards when DNR holds its stakeholder meeting in July. Those folks would do well to look at southwest Missouri and City Utilities for an example of getting out ahead of what everyone knew was coming.

Missouri really has no excuse for being so dependent on coal — generating 83 percent of the state’s energy from its 24 coal-fired plants.

The realities of environmental damage caused by carbon pollution, especially from coal-fired power plants, have been known for decades. The push for more energy efficient ways of producing power is not new, either.

Clinging to coal makes no sense for Missouri, which has no major coal mines. What we do have is natural gas, water, wind and sunshine.

With all the natural resources and beauty in this state, there is no reason why we should be among the top polluters in the country.

And there is no reason why the United States should be the second top polluter in the world, second only to China. The United States should be the leader in energy efficiency and in cutting carbon pollution.

Sen. Roy Blunt’s latest push to kill the EPA’s new regulations is not only pointless, since it is not expected to go anywhere in the Senate, it is disingenuous.

Sen. Claire McCaskill’s tepid reaction to the regulations is equally disappointing. She has taken no position, waiting for Missouri stakeholders’ proposal.

Both of Missouri’s senators should be engaged in finding ways for the state to catch up with the rest of the country in its efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from power plants.

Missouri cannot insist that it shouldn’t have to make that effort because it is afraid of the economic fallout from having to switch from its addiction to coal to energy sources that are more economical and cleaner. Other states have done it. So can we.

If we don’t, we will be spending more on the high cost of climate catastrophes caused by doing nothing. The fate of Missouri’s agriculture, environment and quality of life — not to mention the rest of the world — depend on doing something.

That is apparently the approach taken by City Utilities, well in advance of last week’s announcement.

The state and the nation should take a page from CU’s playbook.

This editorial is the view

of the News-Leader Editorial Board

Linda Ramey-Greiwe

President and Publisher

Linda Leicht

Opinion Page Editor

Cheryl Whitsitt Managing Editor