A clean energy forum co-sponsored by several non-profits under Clean Energy Works for Missouri set up shop last Tuesday evening at the Discovery Center.
The purpose of the forum was to spread the word about different ways Missouri can become less dependent on oil and focus more on the usage of alternative methods for energy.
The night began with four separate presentations.
Hathmore Technologies, LLC and Accurate Rater Network began by discussing how Missourians can be more energy efficient, and what kinds of energy efficient incentives are available.
For example, Kansas City Power & Light offers a number of incentives including the Cool Homes Residential Rebate, which offers an incentive to those who replace inefficient furnaces and air conditioning units.
State and federal incentives were discussed as well.
Ken Riead, a certified energy and environment instructor with Hathmore, presented tips for energy efficiency such as doing an energy audit to find out where a home may be losing energy and how adding insulation and sealing air leaks can reduce that loss.
Susan Brown, from the Energy Savings Store, discussed how photovoltaic solar power can be a great alternative energy.
Brown explained how solar power can be used to heat air and water and make electricity.
Brown also said Missouri is a good region for solar power since the state receives, on average, five sun hours per day.
Solar power can replace approximately 50 percent of household water heating costs.
PJ Wilson, of Renew Missouri, spoke on how to move Missouri forward. Wilson said although Missouri has plenty of sunlight, biomass, wind and other alternative energy sources, we still rank 48th in renewable energy usage.
Therefore, it is Renew Missouri's mission to educate people about renewable and efficient energy policies.
Wilson already feels that Missourians have taken an interest in clean and renewable energy by passing Proposition C in 2008, which requires utility companies to receive 15 percent of their electricity from clean energy sources by 2021. Two percent must be from solar.
That bill is predicted to save Missourians $331 million in the next 20 years. It will also develop thousands of new "green" jobs for Missourians.
Wilson said Missouri currently imports all of its coal at a cost of $9 billion per year. The state depends on that coal for 83 percent of its electricity.
Unfortunately, the excessive use of coal harms air quality, the environment and climate and can cause mercury contamination, Wilson said.
Renew Missouri is pushing for a statewide energy code which requires new construction to meet a minimum of energy efficiency.
This code, if adopted, would save Missourians $108 billion on energy bills by 2020, Wilson said.
Other non-profits who presented at the event included the Sierra Club, Kansas City Regional Clean Cities Coalition and Repower America.
kkates@unews.com
