Tele Convo Details Solar Rebate RENEW MO

I just had an informative telephone conversation with RENEW MO Director Mr M Walter (Corrected and Updated Information 11/12/2014 Scotty).  We discussed a few things about the State of Affairs specifically AmerenUE suspending the Solar Rebate option for customers in the St.Louis Region.

Thumbs Up Clean Energy Solar in St.Louis

I'm going to share some of our conversation that was not included in his email (see corrected post below):

• Corrected and updated information via Mark-Renew Missouri 11/12/14 (strikethrough comments were/are partially incorrect)
  • Even though Ameren UE has suspended (illegally) the Solar Rebate that is paid to customers who install a clean energy system.  He suggests: "still apply for the Solar Rebate".  
  • His reasoning is: "We the Voters voted this program into existence" which was then challenged by the Lobbying Efforts by the Electric Companies statewide.
  • Just because this program is in limbo is by no reason for not applying since the Legislation is being challenged.  If RENEW MO is successful in their ongoing Court Battle:
  Anyone who has applied and installed a Clean Energy System could benefit retroactively from the Net Metering Request
  
  
  Thanks for the blog post the other day.  Has it gotten much attention?  In the future, Renew Missouri and I personally would love to be involved in your blog in whatever capacity we can.  If you wouldn't mind, we would appreciate it if you'd run any of our conversations by us before you post them on your blog.  There are a couple of things that aren't accurate on the blog post that I'd like to try and get straight.
  
  
  First, there are a few lawsuits going on in Missouri, and Renew Missouri is only involved in one of them.  
  1. In September, we wrapped up a case against Empire Electric in the Supreme Court.  We're still waiting to hear back on the verdict, but if we win then people in Empire Territory only will likely have their rebates reinstated.  We're encouraging solar installers to prepare rebate forms for their customers in Empire Territory only so that should we hear a positive verdict, we can create a rush of solar rebates for customers.
  
  
  The other big case in Missouri right now is Solar LLC (representing several solar companies in the state) and Missouri Coalition for the Environment vs. the Missouri PSC attempting to reinstate rebates for all of the Investor Owned Utilities.  Should they win the case, it is likely that rebates will get reinstated for all customers in IOU territory.  It is possible that if people were wrongfully denied solar rebates (i.e. they applied for solar rebates during the time that the IOUs decided they weren't paying) that they can then get retroactive payment through a separate lawsuit, but since Renew Missouri is not a party to this law suit in any way, we aren't advising our supporters to do anything like that.  I'm sorry if I wasn't very clear in our conversation and I accept total responsibility for any murkiness there.

Mark Walter
Renew Missouri
Deputy Director
(573) 590-2255

End- Corrected Information

• Which is a great thing!  Especially since Ameren is a Co-Owner in any clean energy system that is hooked to the grid.  Thats right: if your system is hooked to their power supply via your electric meter-
  They partly own your system because they can then count this net metering towards the Renewable Energy Target set by the Voters of Missouri.  (The energy created by your clean energy system that you do not have to pay for or buy from the electric company gets credited to Ameren.)  You reap the savings and Ameren gets the credit and then skirts their duty on paying for the Solar Rebate established by Missouri Voters.

I personally have no desire to help a company that poisons the world with Dirty Coal Pollution.  

So I've been working behind the scenes on a way to bring the Residents of St.Louis a clean energy solar system that is affordable and will enable you to completely eliminate Ameren from the mix.

My Goal: 

1. Provide St.Louis Residents with an option to have a clean energy system that is affordable without the Solar Rebate from Ameren. 
2. I've set up an accounts with a Solar Finance company's who is helping everyday Americans become self sufficient by generating their own clean energy electricity without having to burn Dirty Coal. 

Drop me a line, Send an Email, or fill in the contact form and I will help you become energy independent and free you from the Electric Companies grip on your finances and health.

Scotty,

"It was great chatting with you this afternoon.  I think it's pretty clear that we're both in the same place on the issues facing the solar industry today.  I'm glad you have found a good product to offer your customers to help them get over the big front end investment.  I'm sure that will make a big difference as you work harder on sales.

Like I was saying, we've been putting together a campaign with solar installers around the state to reach out to their previous customers and hopefully get some referral business for them while educating the homeowners on their solar rights.  As the legislative session gears up again, we'll be trying to build our grassroots supporters so they can call their legislators and let them know what they'd like to see done, and this will be an important step in that direction.

Let me know what you think or if you have any input on anything else.  It will be great to chat with you as we move forward this year.  And as always, if there's anything we can do to help you out, let us know.

All the best,

Mark Walter
Renew Missouri
Deputy Director
(573) 590-2255"

Background on Renewable Energy Standards via RENEW MO

• In 2007 and 2008, Renew Missouri spearheaded the Missouri Clean Energy initiative via the statewide ballot process. The initiative, which was called Proposition C, passed with 66% of the vote makes Missouri the 27th state to have a renewable electricity standard (RES), and only the 3rd to pass it by ballot initiative. 
  
  • Prop C requires investor-owned utilities to get 15% of their electricity from clean energy sources by 2021, 2% of which must come from solar.
  • Through 2030, Prop C is expected a carbon reduction equivalent to permanently removing 2 million cars from the road by 2021.
  • Prop C includes a solar rebate program that will make it cheaper for most Missourians to install a solar system on their home or business.
  • Over the next 20 years, Prop C is predicted to save Missourians $331 million on their electric bills and is expected to stimulate in-state generation of renewable energy sources resulting in thousands of new “green-collar” jobs.

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Green Building Tips and Resources from Scotty-St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog
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Would you pay for a Negawatt in St Louis, MO?

Negawatt-Paid by Performance

I'm from Missouri and I understand and partially live by the states slogan-Show Me.  I am so confident that I can save you money on your utility bills.  I will base the money I earn from the energy upgrade improvements I install in your home or business in StLouis will be based off of the savings of your future energy bills.  Thats right you can pay me 'after-the-fact' on the proven performance for the work I do.  If what I say doesn't work or the energy upgrades fail to deliver then you pay nothing for my labor.

How do I know Scotty's suggested Energy Efficient upgrades and Clean Energy Solar Systems will work to save me $Money$ you ask?

To put my actions and energy efficient suggestions to the test I will soon be offering a Paid by Performance option based on the Negawatt reduction in your utility bills.

My Definition of a Negawatt is: the energy that was previously need but is not needed for your building now.  Wiki's definition of negawatt is:

Negawatt power is a theoretical unit of power representing an amount of energy (measured in watts) saved.

I'm calling for the naysayers and skeptics of energy efficiency and solar to accept my challenge.  I can and will save you money and will base this on the negawatts you will not be buying from Ameren UE!

• Because I know that: Adding Insulation and Air Sealing the drafts in your home will save energy.
• Energy Efficient appliances use less energy than older appliances.
• Most of the HVAC systems in our homes do not have adequate air vents which causes them to operate inefficiently and create cold and hot spots in the home.
• In regard to Solar: StLouis receives an average of 4.567 hours of useable sunlight everyday  (for my 2 family building 27 solar panels provides the clean energy needed to cut the entire buildings energy bills by 75%)

Why would I go out on a limb and possibly lose money?  For me its not completely about the $$$.  I breathe the air in St Louis and since Ameren UE burns dirty coal which causes: Cancer, Asthma, Breathing problems, reduced life expectancy, etc from the CO2 emissions.  {I am hedging my bets on my future health and the high costs of health care today.}  So any energy efficient upgrades and clean energy solar systems installed for your Building in the StLouis area that eliminate the burning of Fossil Fuels- will help my health in the end and everyone else in stlouis would also receive cleaner air to breathe as the added benefit.

While I'm working out the details feel free to schedule a time that we can discuss how you can participate in the program drop me a line.

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Yes Old Dog New Tricks-DirtyEnergyDuke and Solar

Another Dirty Coal Company jumping on Clean Energy from Solar Bandwagon 'proof' that Solar Energy has been adopted as the preferred energy source of the Future.

2 Universities in DC Make Deal to Buy Solar Power (abcnews) hidden in the text of the document: 'Duke Energy Renewables' . 

"Whats this I asked?" 

I know Duke Energy is known for #DirtyCoal... 

a quick google search on Dirty Duke Energy led me to a page that downplays the Dirty Coal aspects of Dirty Duke Energy Company and preaches clean energy aspects.  They even downright admit clean energy is best for all.

 Coal Company jumping on Clean Energy from Solar Bandwagon 

'proof' that Solar Energy has been adopted as the 

preferred energy source of the Future. Scotty

What I found most interesting is: "This Dirty Coal company has jumped on the #Solar bandwagon-which means that even dirtydukeenergy has realized the importance of clean energy production from non-polluting sources." Further proof that #SolarEnergy has been adopted as the preferred energy source of the Future.

Even here in #StLouis the local #DirtyCoal company #Ameren is building a big solar energy plant. Once again proof that #cleanenergy from solar is both profitable for the owner and is the Future!

• Do you realize that the same #BigBusiness #dirtycoal  companies that are fighting and supporting negative ad campaigns with #dirtyenergymoney against #CleanEnergy  are then investing $$$ #Money   ' IN ' #solarenergy  .  This should show you what is going on behind closed doors (in the Energy Industry) in regard to the future of energy and where it will come from.  

• Solar is the Future.  Dirty Energy realizes it and soon you will too. 

Build Green,

Scotty

Solar-Good Enough for Dirty Coal Company good enough for me!

Thank You for stopping by-Share and Comment below. If additional information in needed or you have a question let me know. Together we can make a difference. Build a Green StLouis Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog
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Missouri Energy Companies have a Monopoly and don't play fair

• Four of the Highlights from the Article that are most important to me:

1. FERAF believes that as long as Missouri has monopoly utilities, they need to go through the established PSC rate case process. 
2. 6 years, electricity prices have increased between 43-77%,
3. Most of this money is going to shareholders and executives of energy companies instead of trickling down to workers and those in the building trades, as promised.
4. The utility monopolies in Missouri will surely push for more rate increases, so be sure to keep up to date on the latest issues in the state. Stay in touch with FERAF 

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As you may know, FERAF is the most diverse utility consumer group in the country. We support low-cost, reliable energy as recent rate hikes have take their toll on businesses and families. FERAF believes that as long as Missouri has monopoly utilities, they need to go through the established PSC rate case process. The entire agenda of the utilities can be done right now at the PSC. However, the PSC regularly rejects these proposals because they place an undue burden on ratepayers. As a result, the utilities are always running to the legislature to ask for new anti-consumer legislation. Electricity prices are skyrocketing in Missouri. Over the last 6 years, electricity prices have increased between 43-77%, while household income in Missouri has only gone up 2.7%. Most of this money is going to shareholders and executives of energy companies instead of trickling down to workers and those in the building trades, as promised. The utility monopolies in Missouri will surely push for more rate increases, so be sure to keep up to date on the latest issues in the state. Stay in touch with FERAF onFacebook and Twitter. Sincerely, The FERAF Team Fair Energy Rate Action Fund • PO Box 1153 • Jefferson City, MO 65102 Paid for by the Fair Energy Rate Action Fund. www.fairenergyrates.org

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Petition For Ameren Keep NetMetering Standard as Voted on by MO Voters

Bottom Line: Ameren is attempting to sway the Missouri Government to change the laws that we the voters voted for long ago. The company boasts of making millions in profits but can't divvy up for when we connect to the grid and send our clean energy back to them-that they get to say is part their system since it counts towards their renewable energy mandate.

If Ameren UE didn't have the 4th Dirtiest Coal Burning electrical plant (#Labadie) or was making strides to fix this issue I might be a little more swayed that they can't meet the obligation.

Hell the shipping costs for them to ship the coal here from Wyoming is a million dollars and this cost was passed onto we the consumers. The simple way to reduce this million dollars to make electricity in MO that doesn't need outside dirty coal.

Ameren Missouri: Continue Offering Solar Rebates

www.change.org

On Friday, October 11th, 2013 Ameren Missouri filed paperwork with the Public Service Commision asking for permission to stop paying solar rebates for...

Petition For Ameren to Keep the Net-Metering Standard as Voted on by the MO Voters


Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Misleading Dirty Coal Commercials via Ameren UE

 Recent commercial by AmerenUE where they say they are out for the publics best interest is total bull ___. Ameren UE is poisoning the people with pollution and stopping Clean Energy Production Rebates-Coal Pollution Causes Cancer... 4th Dirtiest coal producing plant in the USA is spilling toxic pollution ... 

I don't watch as much broadcast tv since the family "Cut the Cable Line" we've been using Chrome Cast and our computers to watch TV via the Internet (chrome cast transmits the signal to the tv from the computer and I watch everything for FREE.).

Pollution from Dirty Coal=Cancer

Luckily many of the shows we watch don't have commercials!  But every now and then a commercial sneaks in and a recent one by AmerenUE where they say they are out for the publics best interest is total bull ___. 

1. The simple facts are: They Have the 4th Dirtiest coal producing plant in the USA that is spilling toxic pollution all around the immediate area and then into the stratosphere where it mixes with other pollution and is creating global warming and is affecting the people and the food we eat to survive. see Ameren's Labadie plant named a top greenhouse-gas emitter by EPA 
2. Simple Solution to eliminate Dirty Coal Smoke containing pollution is to create Clean Energy from non polluting fossil fuels.  But since this in direct conflict of Ameren UE's profits they would rather keep poisoning the people with pollution rather than allow additional clean energy to be produced.

I've know for awhile that Ameren UE is challenging Net Metering Payments. I learn via: Renew Missouri Article in the Post Dispatch -that they want to eliminate the Solar Rebate as it is costing the company money in profits of 36 million.

Typical Big Business and dirty tricks (dirty coal pollution has risen by 3-5%).  This little 36 million worth of pollution free energy has a hell of a lot more value and benefits than their dirty coal fired electricity.

Coal Pollution has been linked to CANCER (1).  I can think of 36 lives are worth more to me than company profits.  While they preach energy conservation and generating clean energy...don't let them fool you.  They are protecting their interests and want to burn dirty coal and poison the world.

(1) Toxic Air-The CaseforCleaning UpCoal-fired Power Plants See the PDF by the American Lung Association or

Power Plant Air Pollution Kills 13,000 People Per Year, Coal-Fired Are Most Hazardous: ALA (American Lung Association) Report

Simply put: 

All the people affected by

 Cancer in StLouis 

I feel is

in-directly linked to Ameren UE and how they burn Dirty Coal to make electricity.

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Public Comments Sought-Environmental News

Public Comments Sought on Proposed Coal Ash Cleanup Settlement with Rotary Drilling Supply in Jefferson County, Mo.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-Environmental News

(Lenexa, Kan., May 30, 2013) - EPA Region 7 and Rotary Drilling have reached a proposed agreement to address environmental impacts from the unauthorized disposal of approximately 140,000 tons of coal ash from the Rush Island Power Plant owned and operated by Union Electric Company (d/b/a Ameren Missouri). EPA is accepting public comment on the settlement pursuant to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

In an administrative order on consent (AOC), EPA alleges that the dumping of the coal ash on property owned by Rotary Drilling Supply, Inc., located in Jefferson County, Mo., impacted wetlands, an unnamed tributary to Plattin Creek, and a portion of Willers Lake. The coal ash contains environmentally harmful metals that migrate into adjacent surface waters.

Between October 2004 and September 2008, Rotary Drilling and another company, Mineral Resource Technologies, Inc., contracted with Kleinschmidt Trucking, Inc., to haul and dispose of approximately 95,000 tons of coal ash to the Rotary Drilling site. During that time period, Mineral Resource Technologies, Inc., contracted with Union Electric Company to find and secure locations for coal ash disposal. In 2007, Union Electric contracted directly with Kleinschmidt Trucking, Inc., to haul and dispose of approximately 45,000 tons of coal ash from the Rush Island Power Plant at Rotary Drilling’s property.

EPA’s proposed settlement, issued pursuant to federal RCRA authority, requires Rotary Drilling to abate impacts of the coal ash disposal by placing a protective cap over the coal ash piles and installing controls to prevent the continued migration of coal ash constituents into wetlands and other surface waters.

Additionally, Rotary Drilling must mitigate for lost wetland functions by purchasing wetland mitigation bank credits. Wetland mitigation bank credits involve the restoration, creation, enhancement, or preservation of a wetland, stream, or habitat conservation area to offset adverse impacts to similar nearby ecosystems. The goal is to replace the function and value of the specific wetland habitats that have been adversely impacted.

A copy of the Administrative Record is located at the Crystal City Public Library, 736 Mississippi Ave., Crystal City, MO 63019. EPA invites the public to comment on theAOC. The 30-day public comment period opens on May 30, 2013, and runs throughJune 28, 2013.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7

11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219

Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations

Contact Information: David Bryan, 913-551-7433, bryan.david@epa.gov

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

Act Now to Save Solar in Missouri!

Tell your Legislators: Vote NO on HB44

Dear St Louis and Missouri Solar Advocates,

Some of the smartest, most successful companies and organizations in the world are deploying solar — including Apple, Berkshire Hathaway, FedEx, GE, GM, Google, IKEA, Macy's, Target, Walmart, and the U.S. military. So, why is the Missouri General Assembly dismantling incentives to bring more solar investment to the state?

Help us spread the word and tell your legislators to protect the state's solar industry.

Across the nation, the solar industry is creating jobs, building a more resilient power grid and tackling climate change head-on. By nearly all measures, the solar energy industry has been one of the fastest growing industries over the last five years and 2012 set records for new solar installations, despite a slow economic recovery.

And yet, Missouri's legislators are considering a bill that would stall renewable energy development by allowing the renewable energy standard to be met by existing hydro power. Tell them this makes no sense. The best way to encourage companies to invest and create jobs in our state is to give them certainty about policies.

This bill signals to the business and investment community that the rules are changing and their investments are no longer welcome here.

In 2012 alone, $32 million was invested in Missouri to install solar on homes and businesses. There are 64 solar businesses creating investments and jobs in the state. This bill would cripple that momentum. So why are your representatives moving backwards? Because there is a lot of money and power invested in keeping the status quo.

Tell your legislators -- you want more, not less, incentives for solar.

Thank you for all you do, Carrie Cullen Hitt Senior Vice President, State Affairs Solar Energy Industries Association

St Louis Residents-Add your voice to this petition before its too late

Compliance with Missouri's Renewable Energy Standard

Missouri utilities are blatantly disregarding the state’s renewable energy requirement. So Renew Missouri and our partners across the state have filed legal action to require compliance with the law. Add your voice with this petition! History/Context: In 2008, two-thirds of Missouri voters demanded that investor-owned utilities increase their use of renewable energy. This was the highest passage margin of any statewide renewable energy initiative ever. Last year, utilities were required to demonstrate that 2% of their energy came from renewable sources. However,utilities have built virtually no new renewable energy; instead, they have sought to confuse the intent of the law through their influence in Jefferson City. How are they out of compliance? 1. Roll-Over Energy: Utilities claim they can comply by using "old renewable energy" created at a time when the law wasn’t even in effect.  This is like trying to roll over cell phone minutes from a time before you even had the phone. 2. Old Hydro-Electric Plants:  Utilities are trying to use large, century-old hydroelectric facilities, even though the law explicitly forbids the use of these large hydro facilities. 3. We Demand Power, Not Credits: The Missouri renewable energy law was passed to bring Missouri new, cleaner sources of energy and create jobs here at home. Instead, IOUs are wasting our money on “renewable credits” from far-away states that deliver no electricity to Missouri. This means that Missouri sees no new jobs and no change in how we get our energy, while out-of-state energy producers see larger profits. We need to invest in Missouri's economy and create local jobs! Missouri gets roughly 85% of our energy from Wyoming coal, sending $1.3 billion out of our state every year. If we instead invested in clean energy back home, we would keep some of that money in our local economies and create thousands of jobs, giving us cleaner air and healthier people in the process. Help us deliver 21st century jobs and clean energy to Missouri by signing on to this petition that asks the Public Service Commission to do THEIR job and FORCE utilities to follow the law.

Supporting Organizations The following groups have signed on to our complaint and are aligned in efforts to require utilities to follow the law. RES Complaint News January 31, 2013 Post-Dispatch: Complaint says Ameren is circumventing green power law January 30, 2013 Renew Missouri Press Release: Advocates Take Legal Action Against Non-Compliant Missouri Electric Utilities Documents filed with PSC EC-2013-0377-Formal Complaint (Ameren)EC-2013-0378-Formal Complaint (Empire)EC-2013-0379-Formal Complaint (KCPL)EC-2013-0380-Formal Complaint (GMO)EC-2013-0381-Formal Complaint (Ameren)EC-2013-0382-Formal Complaint (Empire)

Renew Missouri is a project of the Earth Island Institute, a 501c(3) non-profit organization.

Thank you for stopping by St Louis Renewable Energy. Feel free to comment in the section below or contact Scotts Contracting- St Louis Home Improvement Projects and Energy Reducing Needs Get Your Green Building Tips and Resources at St Louis Renewable Energy Green Blog

StLouis Your Future Electric Bills-Missouri Madness:Round 2

The Missouri General Assembly is currently considering legislation that would allow Missouri's monopoly utilities to place an expensive new surcharge on their customers' electric bills. This new surcharge would bypass the traditional ratemaking process that has served Missouri consumers well and weaken Public Service Commission oversight.  Vote the proposed new utility surcharge the worst idea in Missouri here.

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Dear Scotts, We advanced to Round 2 of Missouri Madness! Missouri has voted the proposed new utility surcharge one of the worst bills in the Missouri legislature. Make sure that this legislation makes it to the next round. Vote here today. The Missouri General Assembly is currently considering legislation that would allow Missouri's monopoly utilities to place an expensive new surcharge on their customers' electric bills. This new surcharge would bypass the traditional ratemaking process that has served Missouri consumers well and weaken Public Service Commission oversight.  Vote the proposed new utility surcharge the worst idea in Missouri here. Let's make sure that our Missouri legislature gets the message: the new utility surcharge is bad for Missouri consumers. Vote today and forward this message on to a friend and ask them to do the same. Sincerely, The FERAF Team Fair Energy Rate Action Fund • PO Box 1153 • Jefferson City, MO 65102 Paid for by the Fair Energy Rate Action Fund. www.fairenergyrates.org