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The governor signed the bill Wednesday morning behind closed doors without public or media access. Only a small group of lawmakers were present, unlike the ӣ����Ƶ police takeover legislation, which Kehoe signed at two public events.

“With this legislation, Missouri is well-positioned to attract new industry, support job growth, and maintain affordable, reliable energy for our citizens,” Kehoe said in a statement.

A controversial provision in the bill allows companies to charge ratepayers as a power plant is being built instead of once it’s done. Missourians overwhelmingly voted to outlaw the practice in 1976.

In a February report, the Consumers Council of Missouri found that the provision — known as construction work in progress, or CWIP — could cost ratepayers an additional $500 a year, assuming it finances construction of a new nuclear plant. A gas-fired plant, which is less expensive, would cost ratepayers less.

As he left the bill signing, Sen. Mike Cierpiot called the CWIP provisions “the best in the country from a consumer point of view.” Cierpiot, a Lee’s Summit Republican, sponsored the bill.

Facing intense pushback from constituents, many lawmakers from both parties opposed the bill, including Sen. Brad Hudson, a Cape Fair Republican and member of the conservative Freedom Caucus.

“The (constituents) were very clear they didn’t want this utility bill to pass,” Hudson said.

At a rally Wednesday outside the Capitol, protesters who gathered to oppose the legislation chanted “shame, shame, shame.”

“We should say thank you to Gov. Kehoe for not looking out for the small man,” said Webster Davis of the .

Representatives from the Consumers Council, Sierra Club and League of Women Voters were also present at the rally.

The legislation, , goes into effect Aug. 28.