Renew Missouri
ENERGY PRIORITIES FOR 2010
Energy efficiency is often considered the low-hanging fruit in the quest for clean and secure energy resources. Recent increases in energy prices, constraints on energy supply, and energy reliability concerns have highlighted the fact that energy efficiency is the single most cost-effective and reliable energy resource.
Despite the importance of energy efficiency, Missouri ranks 45 of 50 states on the 2008 Energy Efficiency Scorecard released by the American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE).
The way Missouri lags behind other states on energy efficiency is very similar to where the state stood on renewable energy a year ago. In 2006, 85% of Missouri’s energy came from coal and less than .01% came from renewables. The use of renewable energy, growing rapidly across the country, was not being deployed in Missouri because our state lacked the critical and proven policies necessary to invigorate the industry.
The Missouri General Assembly passed the Easy Connection Act, making it simpler and more cost-effective for Missourians to connect solar and wind systems to the electric grid. Then in 2008, voters passed Proposition C, which requires Missouri electric utilities to get 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021.
These policies have dramatically changed the landscape for renewable energy in Missouri.
In this economy where every dollar counts, Missourians and our in-state businesses can not afford to be wasting money on energy.
Working with national and in-state experts, Renew Missouri has developed a platform of “best practice” priorities for Missouri efficiency policy. We have researched what policies are succeeding in other states and discussed possibilities with national experts, including the Environmental Law and Policy Center, ACEEE, Building Code Assistance Project, and state level stakeholders, such as Sierra Club, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Public Service Commission.
MISSOURI LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2010 PRIORITIES
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
PACE pays for all upfront costs of energy audits, recommended home energy upgrades, and effective renewable energy installations, and property owners repay the upfront costs over 20 years through a special property tax assessment.
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS)
A simple, market-based mechanism to encourage more efficient use of electricity and natural gas.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Enables industry to implement energy saving technology more effectively.
Statewide Energy Code
Requires new construction meet a minimum level of efficiency requirements.
By implementing polices that are succeeding in states across the United States, we can decrease polluting emissions, improve public health, and spend less on our energy bills
Despite the importance of energy efficiency, Missouri ranks 45 of 50 states on the 2008 Energy Efficiency Scorecard released by the American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE).
The way Missouri lags behind other states on energy efficiency is very similar to where the state stood on renewable energy a year ago. In 2006, 85% of Missouri’s energy came from coal and less than .01% came from renewables. The use of renewable energy, growing rapidly across the country, was not being deployed in Missouri because our state lacked the critical and proven policies necessary to invigorate the industry.
The Missouri General Assembly passed the Easy Connection Act, making it simpler and more cost-effective for Missourians to connect solar and wind systems to the electric grid. Then in 2008, voters passed Proposition C, which requires Missouri electric utilities to get 15% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021.
These policies have dramatically changed the landscape for renewable energy in Missouri.
In this economy where every dollar counts, Missourians and our in-state businesses can not afford to be wasting money on energy.
Working with national and in-state experts, Renew Missouri has developed a platform of “best practice” priorities for Missouri efficiency policy. We have researched what policies are succeeding in other states and discussed possibilities with national experts, including the Environmental Law and Policy Center, ACEEE, Building Code Assistance Project, and state level stakeholders, such as Sierra Club, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Public Service Commission.
MISSOURI LEGISLATIVE SESSION 2010 PRIORITIES
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
PACE pays for all upfront costs of energy audits, recommended home energy upgrades, and effective renewable energy installations, and property owners repay the upfront costs over 20 years through a special property tax assessment.
Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS)
A simple, market-based mechanism to encourage more efficient use of electricity and natural gas.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Enables industry to implement energy saving technology more effectively.
Statewide Energy Code
Requires new construction meet a minimum level of efficiency requirements.
By implementing polices that are succeeding in states across the United States, we can decrease polluting emissions, improve public health, and spend less on our energy bills