by Harry Alper
A wave of energy efficiency is sweeping across Missouri, and Sierra Club members are putting the effort to create this change. Although we still have much work cut out for us, Sierrans in some parts of the state are already enjoying the lower bills and cleaner air that comes from energy efficiency.
Energy efficiency means lower bills, cleaner air, and local jobs. It is the most affordable and most environmentally friendly energy resource available. Reducing energy usage through efficiency is much less expensive than building new power plants. Energy efficiency can allow utilities to retire dirty coal plants and meet the remaining energy needs with renewable sources, allowing us to enjoy cleaner air in Missouri. The work of increasing energy efficiency creates good jobs that can’t be shipped overseas – jobs insulating homes, replacing windows, and installing energy efficient appliances.
For Sierrans in the Eastern part of the state, your utility Ameren has dramatically increased its energy efficiency programs, and is now investing $50 Million a year in efficiency. Look for discounted CFL lightbulbs at the hardware store, and inserts in your bill announcing rebates for efficient appliances and energy retrofits.
This Spring members in Kansas City and around Southwest Missouri have moved forward our statewide campaign for energy efficiency. In Kansas City the utility, Kansas City Power & Light is only offering strong efficiency programs to half of its customers. Kansas City Sierrans have responded with The KCP&L Efficiency Now! Campaign, and we are within reach of our goal of 1000 petition signers for energy efficiency. At the end of May we will use the petition to focus media attention on Kansas City Power and Light, and pressure them to make a public commitment to invest in energy efficiency.
Empire Electric in Southwestern Missouri is also late to the game for energy efficiency. Republic, Missouri Sierran Jim Evans submitted a shareholder resolution to Empire advocating for increased investments in efficiency. Jim argued convincingly for efficiency from both the perspective of an environmentalist and the perspective of a shareholder – explaining that efficiency is a safer, smarter business move than building new power plants.
At the Empire Electric shareholder meeting we needed to win 3% of the vote to be eligible to submit our resolution again – and we won 14%. Jim Evans, Joplin green builder Willy Crane, and I spoke with the media, and earned two TV stories, five newspaper stories, and a radio piece. Empire electric committed in the press to file their energy efficiency program with the Public Service Commission in the fall!
Our energy efficiency campaigns are helping the Missouri Sierra Club move our state beyond coal to clean energy. To get involved contact me, Harry Alper, at harry.alper@sierraclub.org.