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9/1/10 MO Renewable Energy Threatened Again: MCE August Digest


Once a month, MCE sends a brief update on the work of each of our program areas.

Clean Energy Program

Renew Missouri works to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in Missouri.
  • Prop C - the Missouri RES is threatened again: In 2008, Missouri voters overwhelmingly passed a renewable electricity standard and the Public Service Commission has since conducted a thorough stakeholder process. They approved a fair set of rules in June.
    On July 1, 2010, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (a group of 10 legislators) attempted to remove a key provision from the rules called geographic sourcing, which requires renewable energy to be generated in or close to Missouri in order to count towards the RES.
    By removing this provision, utilities can buy renewable energy credits from anywhere in the world, thus robbing Missouri of in-state renewable energy development, millions of dollars in economic growth and thousands of jobs. JCAR's authority to alter the rule is questionable and its removal of the provision undercuts the will of voters.
    Fortunately, the JCAR revision must be voted on by the Legislature in its next session. It is critical for Missouri's economy that the Legislature reinstate the geographic sourcing provision. Stay tuned for more updates and how you can help.
  • Shop at 5% Day at Whole Foods in Brentwood or Town & Country on Thursday, September 16. 5% of the profits that day will benefit the Missouri Coalition for the Environment and the EarthWays Center. MCE and EarthWays partner to put on the wildly popular, educational, and fun Green Homes Festival in St. Louis on Saturday, September 25.

Clean Water Program

The MCE Water Program works to promote Missouri's water quality, preserve and restore floodplains and wetlands, and advocate for sustainable stormwater management in our state.
  • Kiefer Creek was added to the 2010 303d Impaired Waters List thanks to a thorough investigation by the MCE Clean Water Team! This designation makes the Kiefer Creek Watershed eligible for state and federal funding for watershed planning and pollution reduction.
  • On Saturday, August 28, 2000 volunteers participated in the Operation Clean Stream statewide clean up. MCE's Clean Water Coordinator Lorin Crandall and Washington University Geo-chemistry Professor Dr. Bob Criss canoed the Lower Meramec while cleaning up 5 miles of the river.
  • MCE staff attended a training to learn more about the complicated U.S. Farm Bill and how it affects our food, our federal budget, our health, and our environment. Congress will be re-authorizing the next Farm Bill in 2012 making 2011 a critical year for understanding more about the 14 sections of this bill.

 

8/18/10 America's Great Outdoors Initiative Listening Session this Friday!


Earlier this year President Barack Obama ordered the establishment of the "America's Great Outdoors Initiative", which is intended to breath new life into our park system. The initiative calls for a "21st century strategy" for conservation, in which federal agencies strive to work alongside the many local groups who have an vested interest in our public land, "including tribal leaders, farmers and ranchers, sportsmen, community park groups, foresters, youth groups, businesspeople, educators, State and local governments, and recreation and conservation groups" with special attention being placed on youth involvement. The intent is to encourage local participation in forming conservation strategies specific to the local area.

This is great news, and the listening session has been announced for the St. Louis area, which will take place this Friday. These sessions are a rare opportunity for us to communicate directly with the governing agencies of our public lands. The listening session is being conducted by the Department of the Interior and the Army Corps of Engineers, and will be attended by Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and other agency leaders. It is our duty to take this opportunity to be heard!

The listening session will take place this Friday, August 20, 2010, 1:45- 3:45 pm in the Sculpture Park at Lewis and Clark Community College, 5800 Godfrey Road, Godfrey, Illinois 62035.

A special morning session will be held from 9-11am for youths ages 16-25 at the National Great Rivers Museum at Lock and Dam 22 in Alton, Illinois.

This event is free and open to the public. For planning purposes the Department of the Interior and Army Corps of Engineers have asked us to pre-register today, Wednesday, August 18. Via the web, www.mvs.usace.army.mil(or fax: 636-899-2655) with your name, the name of the organization with which you are affiliated and your telephone number and email address.

There is already a good attendance registered for the youth session, it is imperative that we attend! If you cannot attend, your comments can be submitted online at: http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors/

They have asked us to come prepared to address these questions:

1. Challenges: What obstacles exist to achieve your goals for conservation, recreation, or reconnecting people to the outdoors?

2. What works: What are the most effective strategies for conservation, recreation and reconnecting people to the outdoors that you have used?

3. Federal government role: How can the federal government be a more effective partner in helping to achieve conservation, recreation or reconnecting people to the outdoors?

4. Tools: What additional tools and resources would help your efforts be even more successful?

It is good to keep in mind the many issues involved with our public lands in Missouri. Here is a list of good points for discussion about some of the main priorities in Missouri's conservation movement: America's Great Outdoors Initiative: A Focus on Missouri's Conservation Successes and Needs

 

8/6/10 Please RSVP Today - 52,000 Reasons for Energy Efficiency


MCE, SPACE Architecture + Design llc, & St. Louis Green Drinks Offer You
52,000 Reasons to Come See for Yourself:
Energy Efficiency, Urban Renewal, and ROI Blended into a Refreshing Design Cocktail
Thursday, August 19th, 5:30-7:00pm

SPACE Architecture + Design used approximately $52,000 in local and federal incentives to improve the efficiency of their new 7,500 sq ft studio in St. Louis' resurgent Grove District. The studio's innovative systemic design includes a heating/cooling system that utilizes 15 geothermal wells buried 200' below the parking lot, a rooftop solar array, cooling fins, desiccant wheel and radiant flooring. The heating and cooling system and other efficiency enhancements translate to 51% less energy use than a similar sized facility built at the City baseline and approximately 50-75% monthly energy consumption savings potential. The system will pay for itself in six years.

What does efficiency look like? Does it pay?

See for yourself and learn more about how effective policy shapes programs like those that helped to make the new SPACE studio a reality- and how Missouri can do more.

Meet the Renew Missouri clean energy crew - Erin, PJ, and Jason - and our Clean Water team - Caroline and Lorin.

Network with St. Louis Green Drinks as they continue the networking at Atomic Cowboy following the tours. Taste wines from sunny Spain and Argentina poured by Randall's Wines and Spirits.

Please RSVP here then help spread the word. Please tell us how many guests you will bring.

Thursday, August 19th, 5:30-7:00pm
(Tours are from 5:30-6:45 p.m.)
S PA C E Architecture + Design
4168 Manchester Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
RSVP for your tour here

A note on parking: Please park on Manchester Avenue or in the SPACE parking lot. Parking by permit only along the majority of Kentucky Avenue.

 

8/4/10 Tired of Waiting, MCE Takes Action on Clean Water


Cleaning Up Our Water


We filed a federal lawsuit today in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri aimed at cleaning up Missouri's waters. The lawsuit charges that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has failed the citizens of Missouri because the vast majority of waters in the state have been illegally exempted from clean water laws that aim to keep water safe and healthy for people, fish, and livestock.

Since it was passed in 1972, the Clean Water Act has required protection of the nation's waters. For the past 38 years Missouri has failed to protect all of its waters. EPA instructed the State to correct this gross oversight in 2000. And yet, 10 years later, more than 150,000 miles of streams remain unprotected by the standards and laws that would keep our waters healthy. That's about 80% of our waters. Geez.

These exempted streams, deemed "unclassified" by an artifact of legal-ese, feed our rivers and lakes where we float, fish, and swim. Because of the failure to apply standards, these "unclassified" waters are delivering an ever-increasing supply of pollution to our recreational rivers, lakes and drinking water supplies, because full pollution limits are not applied to discharges into these waters. Really. It's no wonder we hear so often about streams where people once fished or once swam but no longer do.

The great majority of wastewater discharges in Missouri are into these "unclassified" waters.

After more than seven years of effort to come to a solution on the unclassified waters issue, we decided we couldn't wait any longer for action from the Department of Natural Resources or EPA. It's time to get back on track in Missouri.

Have you seen the notices for all the beach closings so far this summer? Missouri has had more than 30 beach closings already this year from E coli bacteria contamination alone. Most of these are in classified waters that the law is currently set up to protect. It stands to reason that if the upstream waters are not clean, there is little hope for the downstream waters.

Fouling our waters costs us money everyday. We pay in water treatment costs, medical and veterinary costs, lost tourism and recreation income, lost property value, and unrealized opportunity. Our waters should be healthy enough for our native fish and safe enough for our children. That's not too much to ask.

Applying the standards is a necessary and critical step to getting cleaner, safer waters and reclaiming our water-rich heritage. When government agencies fall short of their legal responsibilities to protect us, we must hold them accountable. The Coalition's lawsuit is intended to do just that-and to ultimately make all of Missouri's streams safe and clean.

How you can help


Your support allows us to advance the cause of clean water in Missouri. More than seven years of work has laid the foundation for this lawsuit- an enormous commitment of resources. Please consider a contribution today to help us continue this crucial work.

You can also:
  • Tell us about the streams you love and want protected and restored.
  • Send us photos of you enjoying your favorite stream.
  • Write a letter to the editor supporting stream protections.
  • Help grow MCE - invite a friend to join.
  • Elect officials who care about clean water.
  • Join a stream team

Thank you. I remain honored to serve you and Missouri's environment.

Yours truly,
Kathleen Logan Smith
Executive Director

 

7/30/10 PACE Moves, Federal Climate Bill Dies - MCE July Digest


Once a month, MCE sends a brief update on the work of each of our program areas: Clean Water, Clean Energy, and Public Lands.

Clean Energy Program

Renew Missouri works to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in Missouri.
  • Great news for Missouri's green economy: Gov. Nixon signs PACE. Next step? Implement Missouri PACE programs. In July, Renew Missouri hosted a successful PACE Implementation Training. City, county, and state officials, efficiency, renewable energy experts, and bond law experts from across the state attended the summit to learn how to implement PACE programs in Missouri.
  • Comprehensive Climate and Energy Bill Dies in Senate. Last week, as one of the worst environmental crises in U.S. history unfolded, Senate Democrats abandoned efforts to pass an energy/climate bill. Citing their inability to get enough votes to overcome a Republican filibuster, the bill would have begun to cap greenhouse gases and promoted renewable energy.
    On July 28, the Senate instead rolled out a weakened "oil spill bill" that includes only minor energy provisions - and completely fails to address the underlying causes of the climate crisis. Clean energy supporters across the country are greatly disappointed and worry about the long-term consequences. Contact Senator McCaskill and Senator Bond and tell them that the failure to act on climate and a federal renewable electricity standard is unacceptable.

Clean Water Program

The MCE Water Program works to promote Missouri's water quality, preserve and restore floodplains and wetlands, and advocate for sustainable stormwater management in our state.
  • MCE is continuing our fight against the proposed casino in the floodplain at the Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers in North St. Louis County. We are disappointed that Congressman Lacy Clay (Missouri's 1st Congressional District) came out in support of the casino (unlike St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley who opposes the casino).
    Please call Rep. Clay's office to remind him that the Confluence is one of the most ecologically unique areas in North America and building a casino would cause habitat destruction, increased flooding, and undermine the $25 million investment in the adjacent Columbia Bottom Conservation Area. Call Clay's Washington D.C. office at (202) 225-2406 and email Caroline Ishida at cishida@moenviron.org after you take action.
  • The EPA is currently seeking public comment on their proposed coal combustion waste rule. The rule will determine whether the EPA will designate coal ash as hazardous waste. If so, the EPA will enact stricter protections on the storage of coal ash and the use of coal ash as fill material. If EPA does not designate coal ash as hazardous, it will continue to be treated as solid waste, without many of the health protections needed to protect us from the heavy metals and chemical compounds it contains. View the rule and make a comment.
  • Thanks to everyone that attended our July Kiefer Creek Hike! Join us for the August Kiefer Hike on Saturday, August 14 at 10 am. We will be hiking in Castlewood State Park. Meet us at the bridge where Keifer Creek Road goes over the creek, by the pavilions. In the meantime, read recent coverage of MCE's ongoing work to clean up Kiefer Creek. Please RSVP. For more information, contact Noelle Wyman at nwyman@moenviron.org. See you there!

 

7/9/10 Take Action to Save the Confluence: Will You Speak for the Eagles?


Please join the Save the Confluence Coalition Thursday, July 15 as we launch our Speak for the Eagles Post Card Drive at the Cardinals game.

The Save the Confluence Coalition has formed to oppose a proposal to convert farmland, wetlands and floodplain into a casino complex near the Confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers in north St. Louis County. The proposal would create a casino complex as large as 377 acres with parking for 8,000 cars next to the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area in north St. Louis County, a sensitive area along the Mississippi Flyway--one the world's most significant migratory flyways. The development would destroy habitat for tens of thousands of birds and other wildlife that have no place to go and cannot speak out about the plans. So it is up to us to speak for them.

The Missouri Gaming Commission will decide where the state's only available casino license goes. Thursday, July 15 is the day the casino license seekers must submit their economic analysis to the Gaming Commission. It is also the day we are mobilizing our fellow citizens to join us for our Speak for the Eagles post card drive.

You can help Save the Confluence by speaking for the eagles and other wildlife. Please join us from 5:30 - 7:15 Thursday, July 15 to collect postcards that call on the Missouri Gaming Commission to reject the license application for the north St. Louis County casino plan. We will meet at 5 p.m. at 7th and Clark Street near the northwest corner of Busch Stadium and near the Stadium Metrolink Station and give Cardinals fans a chance to speak for fellow cardinals and other wildlife. With thousands of postcards headed to the Commission, the message will be clear: North county does not want the casino.

To Speak for the Eagles and Save the Confluence Thursday July 15:

1. Let us know you are coming by calling 314-727-0600.
2. Arrive no later than 5:30 p.m. at 7th and Clark Street to get your clipboard, pens, and postcards. The first 30 volunteers will also receive a "Speak for the Eagles" t-shirt.
3. Meet Redbird fans and collect postcards until the game begins at 7:15 p.m.
4. Meet at 7th and Clark Street to turn in your clipboard and postcards. You can keep the shirt!

Your help is essential to protecting valuable floodplain and wetlands habitat and the $25 million conservation investment Missouri has made in the Confluence area. Please take this opportunity to act. You can make a difference! Bring a friend!

 

7/7/10 A Step Forward for Missouri Parks - MCE July Digest


Once a month, MCE sends a brief update on the work of each of our program areas: Clean Water, Clean Energy, and Public Lands. If you'd like to receive a program's more frequent updates, click the "update profile" link at the bottom of this email.

Clean Energy Program

Renew Missouri works to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in Missouri.

Clean Water Program

The MCE Water Program works to promote Missouri's water quality, preserve and restore floodplains and wetlands, and advocate for sustainable stormwater management in our state.
  • A June 21, 2010 MCE news release criticized the barge industry's proposal to shift the burden of costs for operation and maintenance on the locks and dams system entirely to taxpayers. Right now, the barge industry on the Mississippi is subsidized by taxpayers at 90% -- this new proposal would require taxpayers to cover 100% of the barge industry's costs for operation and maintenance of inland waterways infrastructure on the Upper Mississippi despite an era of declining barge traffic and the increasing need for river restoration funding. MCE is working with the Nicollet Island Coalition (NIC), a group of conservation, environmental and policy organizations that address restoration issues and provide coordinated advocacy work on the Upper Mississippi River. Read the news release.
  • The June 12 Kiefer Creek Hike held at Castlewood State Park, featured guest speaker Steve Nagle, the Director of Community Planning at East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Mr. Nagle discussed his work with the Meramec River Tributaries Alliance to plan for the future preservation of the Lower Meramec and its tributaries. Spring-fed Kiefer Creek continues to be used as a popular swimming area even though MDNR recently posted a warning sign notifying the public of dangerously high levels of bacteria in the water. MCE is working to have additional warning signs placed along the stream and to promote clean up of the creek.
  • The next Urban Creek Hike - Saturday, July 17
    Powder Valley Nature Center (Please note the new location). The hike will begin at 10 am, followed by a short film and discussion beginning at 11am. Please RSVP. For more information, email Noelle at nwyman@moenviron.org.

Public Lands Program

The Coalition works to protect Missouri's public lands and open spaces.
  • The National Park Service has announced the closing of 50 illegal spur-trails and road-traces in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Though they are not closing the redundant access completely, this is an important step in solving a damaging problem in the park that contributes to increased sediment and pollution in the waters of the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers. Mixed responses have been expressed in the local media, and Rep. Jo Ann Emerson has released a statement that is critical of the Park Service's modest actions. Let the Park Service know you support this small step.

 

6/28/10 Recipe Book Deadline July 15!


This is a reminder that the Missouri Coalition for the Environment is planning to issue a cookbook as a fundraiser and as a resource for great vegetarian and vegan eating. We're seeking recipes from MCE members and other friends of the Coalition. Please submit recipes by the July 15 deadline!

We want to make this the best community cookbook ever, the tastiest source for eating green, AND the mo$t $ucce$$ful fundrai$er the Coalition has ever produced! We need YOUR help and the help of your friends and relatives (what about Grandma's recipe for vegan Hoppin' John?) and any Missouri celebrities you know!
  1. Send up to three recipes.
  2. Categorize each recipe, as in Appetizer, Bread & Breakfast, Soup, Salad, Entrée, Side Dish, Dessert, or Cookie. (We're looking for vegan dessert and cookie recipes rather than vegetarian desserts, as those abound in all cookbooks.)
  3. Title each recipe.
  4. Classify each as vegetarian or vegan and/or add a note as to how to alter the recipe if it can be either (for example, substituting a soy product for cheese).
  5. Note if the recipe is gluten-free.
  6. State the number of servings.
  7. State whether the recipe can be doubled, tripled, etc.
  8. List ingredients and specify measurements/amounts.
  9. State directions in complete sentences, including cooking temperatures and times (Assume nothing!).
  10. Add a brief comment as to the origin of or your experience with the recipe - personalize your submission.
  11. State name of contributor or "Anonymous" if you don't want your name to appear.

TEMPLATE:
Category
Title
Vegetarian or vegan (or can be made to be both)
Gluten Free?
Number of servings
Can be doubled? Tripled?
Ingredients
Directions
Personal comment
Name of contributor

SAMPLE RECIPE:
Soup:
Best Butternut Squash Soup (vegan and gluten-free)
Serves 4 to 6 (can be doubled, tripled, etc.)
2 cups (1/2 inch thick) leek slices, white and light green parts only
2 lbs butternut squash
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
6 cups vegetable stock
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Place sliced leeks in large bowl of cold water. Let stand approximately 5 or 10 minutes. Lift out of water; drain; set aside. Cut squashes in half lengthwise. Remove seeds. Peel and dice into 1/2 cubes. In pot over medium-low heat, cook leeks in 2 T water until softened, about 10 minutes. Add squash and spices. Cook for 2 minutes. Add stock and season. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until squash is tender. Puree in batches. Return to pot and reheat.

This recipe was adapted from Abigail and Andy Ashley's Gourmet Garden newsletter that arrived weekly with every overstuffed bag of produce from their late, lamented organic subscription farm. Tastes wonderfully rich and creamy without being either.

- Peggy Hermes

Please send all entries or inquiries by July 15 to Peggy Hermes at hermes.margaret@gmail.com with Cookbook as the subject. Start culling your recipe files -- and thank you!

 

6/24/10 Wasted Waters: E. coli Out of Control in Missouri


Greetings from the MCE Clean Water Team,

Last week The Pitch in Kansas City and The Riverfront Times in St. Louis featured an eye-opening cover story about the massive failure of Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to regulate bacteria from fecal waste that is contaminating many of the waters in Missouri.

"People are floating, boating, fishing and swimming in some of those waterways right now, downstream from a municipal water-treatment facility or a large factory farm with an unchecked spillover from a lagoon of animal waste (two major sources of elevated bacteria counts)."

Nadia Pflaum, a journalist for The Pitch, took a long hard look at the situation and found that the DNR is only partly to blame. As it turns out certain legislators and big-business lobbyists in Missouri have been fighting for years to be able to keep polluting our lakes, rivers, and streams.

"The DNR's reason for not testing the water quality of 90 percent of Missouri's rivers and streams: money. Since the early '90s, the Legislature has consistently reduced the DNR's allocation from general revenue, and for the DNR, lack of money means lack of manpower."

At the top of this regulatory cowpie we have a Clean Water Commission that works closely with polluters and their lobbyists to help them postpone and skirt regulations. On the other hand, when it comes to citizens that have been directly impacted by bacterial water pollution the Commissioners are completely complacent. At least one of them actually fell asleep during Steve Seyer's presentation on how Kiefer Creek in Castlewood State Park, St. Louis' Infamous Most Dangerous Pretty Little Stream, nearly killed his dog in 2007:

"In 2009, the Lake of the Ozarks had E. coli levels at 2,400 colonies per 100 milliliters," Seyer says. "Kiefer Creek regularly had levels of over 20,000 to 40,000 colonies per 100 milliliters, with a high-water mark at 590,000."

Seyer, the jogger whose dog was sickened by bacteria, wants to see Kiefer Creek added to the state's impaired-waters list. But when he presented his E. coli findings to the Clean Water Commission at its meeting in St. Louis in November, he found the commissioners unresponsive.

"They let me go on for 45 minutes," Seyer says. "Their heads were nodding, falling asleep."

To read Nadia's full article and blogs, click on the links below:

Everything is getting into Missouri's lakes and rivers except money
Missouri's E. coli problems are not confined to the Lake of the Ozarks
Don't swim in these 52 Missouri poop chutes
Six state parks' swimming beaches closed this weekend because of ... poop (updated)
MO Sen. Brad Lager on why we shouldn't worry about losing the fees to pay for water protection
E. coli poisoning from Missouri stream cost a biologist his appendix

Once you've read these articles be sure to leave a comment at the end of the article or blog -- this will show everyone (especially politicians and lobbyists) that Missourians DEMAND Clean Water!

After you've left a comment please consider becoming a member of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment. We are working tirelessly to reshape the regulatory framework in Missouri so that it protects our most valuable resources.

If this article hits you the way it hit us, then you are all fired up to hear that the rivers you float down, the streams your kids play in and the lakes you boat in could pose an unchecked and very serious health risk.

You can do something about it!
Call your state and local elected representatives to tell them you are very concerned about water quality in Missouri. Here are some questions that they probably won't have a good answer for:
  • Which waters in your community are safe for your kids to play in, and which ones aren't?
  • Why aren't all of the rivers, streams, and lakes in your community protected for recreational use?
  • Why doesn't DNR have funding to monitor the vast majority of waters in your community?
  • What are they doing to improve this dangerous and unacceptable pollution problem?

Find contact info for your elected officials HERE

 

6/8/10 New Opportunity for Missouri to Save $4.3 Billion through Increased Efficiency


Missourians could save $4.3 billion on their electricity bills over the next 12 years if the Missouri Public Service Commission adopts common-sense energy efficiency targets that are already on the books in states such as Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Moreover, doing so would create more than 3500 jobs.

This was the conclusion of a new analysis by the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA), released Monday by a coalition of national and state clean energy advocacy organizations.

The groups are calling on the Missouri PSC to adopt energy efficiency targets as part of a rule they are writing to implement the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act. The law was passed in 2009, and sets a goal for Missouri utilities to capture all the potential for cost-effective energy savings.

In states that have set such targets, utilities are meeting them with aggressive and innovative programs to help their customers lower their energy consumption with efficient lighting, appliances, and building improvements.

"This makes economic sense for Missouri," said Wendy Jaehn, Executive Director of MEEA. "Missouri utilities can use energy efficiency to avoid much more costly electricity generation, transmission and distribution, saving their customers billions of dollars. In state after state we've found that when you set reasonable targets, the utilities deliver this savings and everyone benefits."

This new law is a critical step in bolstering energy efficiency in Missouri. The Show Me State currently ranks amongst the worst ten states in regards to efficiency according to the 2010 Efficiency Scorecard released by the American Council on Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Such a low ranking is costly for ratepayers because energy efficiency is widely known to be the cheapest energy resource, costing at least 2-3 times less than producing new energy. Though efficiency is cheapest, Missouri utilities spend $190 per person each year on imported coal but only 20 cents per person each year to implement energy efficiency according to a Union of Concerned Scientists' report Importing Coal, Exporting Cash released in May.

The law passed also makes it a priority to address a number of financial disincentives for utilities to invest in efficiency, as opposed to other resources. Under current ratemaking policy, utilities are penalized financially when their sales decline through energy efficiency. The rules will address how to eliminate this penalty.

"It's not smart policy to punish utilities for doing the right thing, and reward them for making costlier investments in unnecessary and highly polluting sources of electricity," said Rebecca Stanfield, Senior Energy Advocate for the Natural Resources Defense Council. "We need to turn that around," she concluded.

"The targets we're advocating will allow us to hold utilities accountable and helps the public know that ratepayer money is going towards the implementation of effective utility efficiency programs," said PJ Wilson of Renew Missouri, a non-profit renewable energy and energy efficiency advocacy group.

"Energy efficiency programs help control utility rates and put Missourians back to work implementing efficiency," says Byron DeLear of the Missouri Accredited Energy Efficiency Professionals (MAEEP). MAAEP represents over 100 energy efficiency business across Missouri.

25 other states have similar energy saving standards. Current experience is that utilities are saving energy for about 3 cents per unit of electricity (kwh), and thereby avoiding electricity costs of 6-12 cents per kwh. That means that for each dollar invested, customers save two to four dollars on their bills.

The PSC is holding its third and final workgroup meeting on Friday to consider an EERS. The final decision will come later this summer.

The study, Potential Long-Term Savings from Electric and Natural Gas Efficiency Resource Standards in Missouri, can be found here.

 

6/7/10 Upcoming Coalition Events in June


We hope you'll be able to join the Coalition at these events in June. We look forward to seeing you out in Missouri's great natural environment.

June Keifer Creek Hike


We invite you to join the Missouri Coalition for the Environment at our June Keifer Creek Hike. We will meet on Saturday, June 12 at 10 am at the bridge over Keifer Creek.

Our guest speaker is Steve Nagle, the Director of Community Planning at East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Steve is deeply involved in the effort to protect the Meramec and its tributaries, providing leadership in the Meramec River Tributary Alliance and serving as the Vice President on the Board of the Open Space Council.

Steve will tell us about his work for the lower Meramec River tributaries before we embark on a short hike in Castlewood. The hike is free, and snacks will be provided afterwards. Kids and dogs are also welcome to join. Please RSVP here.

For questions or more information, please contact Noelle at nwyman@moenviron.org or call 314-727-0600.

We hope to see you and your friends at the hike! The Coalition's Keifer Creek Hikes are held every second Saturday of the month and typically last about 2 hours.

Current River Cleanup


Stream Team 1028 is having their 4th annual Upper-Current River clean-up and kayak giveaway on Saturday, June 19. Come join us and get involved in the health of these rivers! Registration is at Cedargrove, Akers, or Pulltite access points between 8:00-9:00 AM. Canoes are available at local rentals, BBQ and kayak giveaway (for registered volunteers) will be at 6:30 PM at Round Spring. Be sure to bring a lunch and water!

Please let us know if you are coming by filling out this simple form. Click here for more information about the float.

 

6/2/10 MCE June Digest


Once a month, MCE sends a brief update on the work of each of our program areas: Clean Water, Clean Energy, and Public Lands. If you'd like to receive a program's more frequent updates, click the "update profile" link at the bottom of this email.

Clean Energy Program

Renew Missouri works to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in Missouri.
  • Ask Governor Nixon to Sign PACE into Law: In May, PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) passed the Missouri General Assembly with strong bi-partisan support. In order for PACE to become law, however, Governor Nixon must next sign the bill this summer. Please contact the Governor and urge him to sign PACE which will put Missourians to work, save Missourians money on their utility bills, and decrease carbon emissions as our buildings become more efficient. You can call (573) 751-3222 or write to Governor Nixon, State Capitol Building, Jefferson City, MO 65101 and reference HB 1692.
  • Good news for Prop C: Last week, The Public Service Commission (PSC) voted in favor of strong, effective rules for Prop C: the Missouri Renewable Electricity Standard. The PSC voted in favor on nearly every one of our pro-renewable energy recommendations. One example: To count toward Prop C targets, the renewable energy must be sold to Missouri customers which will help ensure Missouri's economy benefits from the development of renewable energy sources.
  • Coal Imports a Drain on Missouri Economy: A study released last month highlights the drain put on Missouri's economy to import coal. Missouri is the most coal dependent state on net imports for total power use, spending $190 per person a year to import coal. At the same time, Missouri spent just 22 cents per person a year on ratepayer funded electricity efficiency programs. The full report is available on the Union of Concerned Scientists' website. The report discusses ways to keep more of that money in-state through investments in energy efficiency and homegrown renewable energy.

Clean Water Program

The MCE Water Program works to promote Missouri's water quality, preserve and restore floodplains and wetlands, and advocate for sustainable stormwater management in our state.
  • St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley has come out on the side of the Save the Confluence Coalition, opposing any north St. Louis county casino in a letter to the Missouri Gaming Commission. Read the story in the Post-Dispatch. Opposition to the proposed north county casino adjacent to the Columbia Bottom Conservation Area has been steadily growing thanks to your support. Please help us in this final push by sending a letter to the Missouri Gaming Commission and your elected representatives telling them why you think we should Save the Confluence.
  • A r