Renewable Energy Rebates-Ameren UE-Federal Tax Incentive

Ameren UE Renewable Energy Rebate Program

Recently I was asked:

• "Why does Ameren UE buy back the electricity created by Renewable Energy System on my House?" 

When I directed the question to Ms L.Cosgrove who handles the Local Ameren UE Renewable Energy Department.  She replied:

•    "AmerenUE provides the MO Solar Rebate in response to Missourian’s passing Proposition C back in November, 2008[ii],[iii]"

In a nutshell it seems to me that Ameren UE will either have to build Renewable Energy Producing Systems or Purchase the Electricity that is made from Residents and Businesses to comply with the Law. 

Which means that Ameren has a Stake in any Renewable Energy Sytem that produces Electricity and is Interconnected utilizing Net Metering to our / their Electircal Grid here in the St Louis Area. 

Good News for all those who would like additional Monetary Incentives for Installing RE (Renewable Energy) Sytems.

The Ameren Rebate and the Federal Tax Incentive can add up to as much as 2/3 of the cost of the RE System. 

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[i] Lisa M. Cosgrove | Renewables Specialist  | 1901 Chouteau Avenue, MC 611 | St. Louis, MO 63103

314-554-2649 | fax 314-206-1387 | lcosgrove@ameren.com   

[ii] See http://www.sos.mo.gov/elections/2008petitions/2008-031.asp for more details.

[iii] 2008 Initiative Petitions
Approved for Circulation in Missouri

Amendment to Chapter 393 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri, Relating to Renewable Energy, version 4, 2008-031

THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT

Be it enacted by the people of the state of Missouri:

Chapter 393, RSMo, is amended by repealing sections 393.1020, 393.1025, 393.1030, and 393.1035, and substituting therefor three new sections to be known as sections 393.1020, 393.1025 and 393.1030, to read as follows:

393.1020. Sections 393.1025 to 393.1030 shall be known as the Renewable Energy Standard.

393.1025. As used in sections 393.1020 to 393.1030, the following terms mean:

 1. "Commission", the public service commission;

 2. "Department", the department of natural resources;

 3. “Electric utility”, any electrical corporation as defined by section 386.020;

 4. "Renewable energy resources", electric energy produced from wind, solar thermal sources, photovoltaic cells and panels, dedicated crops grown for energy production, cellulosic agricultural residues, plant residues, methane from landfills or from wastewater treatment, clean and untreated wood such as pallets, hydropower (not including pumped storage) that does not require a new diversion or impoundment of water and that has a nameplate rating of 10 megawatts or less, fuel cells using hydrogen produced by one of the above-named renewable energy sources, and other sources of energy not including nuclear that become available after the effective date of this section and are certified as renewable by rule by the department; and

 5. "Renewable energy credit" or “REC”, a tradable certificate of proof that one megawatt-hour of electricity has been generated from renewable energy sources.

393.1030.1. The commission shall, in consultation with the department, prescribe by rule a portfolio requirement for all electric utilities to generate or purchase electricity generated from renewable energy resources. Such portfolio requirement shall provide that electricity from renewable energy resources shall constitute the following portions of each electric utility’s sales:

(a) No less than two percent for calendar years 2011 through 2013;

(b) No less than five percent for calendar years 2014 through 2017;

(c) No less than ten percent for calendar years 2018 through 2020; and

(d) No less than fifteen percent in each calendar year beginning in 2021. 

At least two percent of each portfolio requirement shall be derived from solar energy. The portfolio requirements shall apply to all power sold to Missouri consumers whether such power is self-generated or purchased from another source in or outside of this state. A utility may comply with the standard in whole or in part by purchasing RECs. Each kilowatt-hour of eligible energy generated in Missouri shall count as 1.25 kilowatt-hours for purposes of compliance.

2. The commission, in consultation with the department and within one year of the effective date of sections 393.1020 to 393.1030, shall select a program for tracking and verifying the trading of renewable energy credits. An unused credit may exist for up to three years from the date of its creation. A credit may be used only once to comply with this act and may not also be used to satisfy any similar non-federal requirement. An electric utility may not use a credit derived from a green pricing program. Certificates from net-metered sources shall initially be owned by the customer-generator.  The... continues on web site 

MO Kit Bond Fails-Sensenbrenner Plots Revenge-Mabus Report

Bond's surprise EPA-delay gambit fails – Sensenbrenner plots 'select' climate revenge – Mabus report to be unveiled today – White House inches closer to lifting moratorium

SNEAK PEAK – Navy Secretary Ray Mabus this morning will unveil his recovery plan for the Gulf Coast. POLITICO's Gordon Lubold reports that the former Mississippi governor will ask Congress to use the penalties that will be collected under the federal Clean Water Act to fund his proposal, which includes economic development, community planning, ecosystem and environmental restoration, public health efforts and assistance to individuals and business affected by the spill. http://politi.co/9pyWu1  

WHILE WE'RE ON THE TOPIC – The National Oil Spill Commission will reconvene today to discuss the environmental and economic rehabilitation of the Gulf region. The highlight of the second and final day is expected to be the 10:30 a.m. panel, which is comprised of Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. Landrieu is expected to tout her so-called "RESPOND Act" that would funnel 80 percent of the money collected from BP for Clean Water Act violations to coastal restoration projects in the Gulf. You can find the full agenda for the event here: http://bit.ly/97wDc4  

WHITE HOUSE INCHING CLOSER TO LIFTING DRILLING BAN – That was the headline from Day 1 of the commission's hearing. "[BOEMRE chief] Michael Bromwich … said Monday he expects to issue interim rules and a key report later this week – a month early – as the Obama administration weighs its next move on offshore drilling," reports Samuelsohn. http://politi.co/bXivFc  

BUT DON'T EXPECT DRILLING TO RESUME OVERNIGHT – "Even when the moratorium is lifted, you're not going to see drilling come on the next day or the next week," Bromwich said. "It's going to take some time."

Commission co-chair William Reilly (G.H.W. Bush's EPA chief) offered a similar take, saying that while he believes the deepwater drilling ban will be lifted before the Nov. 30 deadline, it won't be business as usual any time soon for drillers. "It'll be a de facto moratorium going forward. ... The combination of new regulations and the changes in some of the requirements ... might delay presumption of drilling beyond the moratorium lifting itself."

ALASKA DRILLING – Sen. Mark Begich suggested yesterday that he may take a page out of Landrieu's playbook and cause procedural headaches for the administration until it provides clarity on offshore drilling off his state's coast. "I'll use whatever means necessary to get them to respond to this. All we're asking for is a very simple thing: Tell us what the rules are and give us a timetable. It's not complicated. And yet they spend more time explaining how they're going to have more discussions about having some other discussions, which really means they're not going to make a decision right away."

MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL PROTESTORS REMOVED – Roughly 100 people were arrested yesterday outside of the White House while protesting against the controversial mining technique. AP: http://bit.ly/dBoe69 . YouTube video: http://bit.ly/9fYGnI  

JAMES HANSEN, TOO – The head of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (and an outspoken advocate for a carbon cap) was among those cuffed, according to Grist's David Roberts, who ID-ed him in this flickr pic: http://bit.ly/b8qD4r  

FRIENDLY FIRE? – Samuelsohn reported yesterday about how some fringe enviros are looking for a green savior to challenge Barack Obama in the 2012 primaries. http://politi.co/b1F04H  

Here's some react from the print edition's cutting room floor:

Grist's Roberts: "Primarying Obama would be clinically insane. For one thing, the only thing it would show anybody is that the left is hopelessly inept and out of touch (after all, Obama remains wildly popular among the stalwart elements of the Dem base, including blacks, low-income, and young people). … There's more Obama could have done, and more I wish he would do, but he isn't even among the top five problems that greens need to deal with."

Michael Shellenberger, the Breakthrough Institute: "In our view, the spectacular failures of Kyoto and cap and trade are proof that we need a new environmentalism, not a new president. Cap and trade failed because it is bad politics to focus on making fossil fuels more expensive rather than on making clean energy cheap."

SOMETHING PATTY MURRAY AND JIM INHOFE CAN AGREE ON – Eighteen Dems and 23 Rs have joined forces to challenge EPA's proposed industrial boiler regulations. The group says that the Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) rules will create serious obstacles in the construction of new biomass projects and could cause the loss of thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs. They want EPA to exercise discretion it has under the Clean Air Act to set flexible rules that don't do harm to the industry.

FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE – "Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski has not been shy about invoking the late Sen. Ted Stevens in her write-in bid to retain her seat, and the Alaskan political legend could even make a posthumous appearance in her campaign before Nov. 2," reports POLITICO's Shira Toeplitz. "Stevens recorded two television ads for Murkowski in the days before he died in a plane crash Aug. 9 en route to a fishing trip." http://politi.co/dpIdze  

DON YOUNG ENDORSES… NOBODY – Alaska Public Radio reports the veteran GOP congressman isn't picking anyone in the general election contest. Can be spun both ways: Good for Joe Miller, b/c Murkowski doesn't get a boost; good for Murkowski, because the key Republican doesn't choose the primary winner. http://bit.ly/bfFkDH  

SKIMMING THE HOUSE SCHEDULE SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO – Of the 85(!) bills on the House suspension calendar for today, here are, um, three ME readers may be interested in:

H.R. 4168 - Algae-based Renewable Fuel Promotion Act – would make algae-based biofuel eligible for the cellulosic biofuel producer credit and the special allowance for cellulosic biofuel plant property.

H.R. 6016 - Audit the BP Fund Act – directs a GAO audit of the operations of the fund created by BP to compensate persons affected by the Gulf oil spill.

H.R. 6160 - Rare Earths and Critical Materials Revitalization Act – supports research, development, demonstration and commercial application across the rare earths supply chain. As you know, rare earths play a major role in clean energy technologies such as wind-generators turbines and hybrid car batteries.

LIGHTNING ROUND –

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service yesterday released its plan to respond to the effects of global warming on at-risk plants and wildlife. Plan: http://bit.ly/cdDFuq  

The Center for a New American Security yesterday released a report calling for the Pentagon to start planning now to transition to a non-petroleum future. Report: http://bit.ly/bxdEpc  

The Center for American Progress Action Fund yesterday released an analysis showing that "Big Oil companies and other special interests" have spent $500 million in lobbying and campaign contributions to defeat clean energy and climate legislation. Analysis: http://bit.ly/aEw1q3  

TODAY'S BRIEFINGS –

Operation Free will host a 9:30 a.m. briefing today in the Capitol (S-120) to argue against Senate efforts to undercut EPA's ability to regulate carbon emissions. The group will also release its "Fuel Scorecard" measuring the fuels against a series of economic and security indicators. Scorecard: http://bit.ly/9JBPow  

NRDC hosts a 9:30 a.m. briefing today to get reporters ready for the next round of U.N.-led climate talks, which start Oct. 4 in Tianjin, China. They'll talk expected goals for the meeting and its significance in China, which always has a central role in the negotiations given its ranking as the world's largest GHG emitter.

CHECKING THE TRAPS –

WSJ – Lawyers vying for spots in BP lawsuit: http://bit.ly/aDC69J  

AP – Poor management led to 2008 TVA coal ash disaster: http://bit.ly/ad4JYT  

LAT Editorial – No on Prop. 23: http://lat.ms/a3d3Jc  

LAT – LA's Department of Water and Power on Monday recorded an all-time peak energy demand as the area was belted by record heat: http://lat.ms/bdz3Qy  

STILL WITH US? Good. Here's your reward: http://bit.ly/dstgz1  

** A message from America's Natural Gas Alliance: One solution for more abundant domestic energy is staring us in the face. Natural gas is the natural choice—now and in the future. We know we need to use cleaner, American energy. And, we have it. Today, the U.S. has more natural gas than Saudi Arabia has oil, giving us generations of this clean, domestic energy source. Natural gas supports 2.8 million American jobs, most states are now home to more than 10,000 natural gas jobs. As Congress and the Administration look for ways toward a cleaner tomorrow, the answer is right here: natural gas. Learn more at www.anga.us. And, follow us on Twitter @angaus. **

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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Paid for By Big Oil- "Pledge to America"

Paid For By BIG OIL

See what is spilling from the mouths of Big Oil and their favorite candidates

As the GOP releases its "Pledge to America" -- an unabashed promise to continue bowing to Big Oil and fighting clean energy -- we will continue tracking campaign contributions from the oil industry and the outrageous statements made by the politicians they support. Check out the "spills" at: http://www.sierraclub.org/paidforbybigoil/

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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com

Re: USGBC-Missouri Gateway October Program - Photovoltaics: Concept to Completion

On Tue, Sep 28, 2010 at 3:37 PM, U.S. Green Building Council - Missouri Gateway Chapter <usgbc-stl@mobot.org> wrote:

REGISTER   Click Here to visit our Event Registration page.   CONTINUING EDUCATION   This program has been submitted to the USGBC Education Provider Program for approval of 1 GBCI CE Hour     CALL FOR PROPOSALS   USGBC-Missouri Gateway  is accepting proposals for educational programs to be offered in 2011.  Proposals are due Friday, October 1 at 5pm.   Click here for details!   REGISTRATION  NOW OPEN    OCTOBER 23   A bike ride to benefit the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter Scholarship Fund! SAVE THE DATE OCTOBER 5 8:30 am - 5 pm   CLEAN ENERGY AND EFFICIENCY    Washington University's Department of Energy, Environmental and Chemical Engineering will host a day-long short course on energy and environment as pertains to the building environment.   The morning session of the short course will examine current national trends in energy generation and use, and the implications of these trends on the environment; specifically water consumption. In the afternoon, participants will learn of various methods for improving energy and water use efficiency, along with some promising renewable energy technologies.   More Information   To register, contact Kim Coleman, 314.935.5548   USGBC-Missouri Gateway October 12 Program Photovoltaics: Concept to Completion SPECIAL FOR LEED PROFESSIONALS: All LEED Professionals are invited to attend this program for FREE regardless of their membership status!  Spread the word.  Invite your colleagues.   As the name implies, this presentation will discuss Photovoltaic Systems from Concept to Completion.  Financial incentives available from federal, state, and local utilities will be discussed, as well as how to get financial incentive information on other localities.  Recent state renewable and energy efficiency policy victories and their impacts will be discussed, in addition to a preview of Renew Missouri's future policy initiatives.   This presentation will discuss photovoltaic system components available, sizing of photovoltaic systems, solar production analysis, costs of photovoltaic systems, and return on investment for photovoltaic systems.  Additionally, we will explore case studies of local photovoltaic systems within Missouri including architectural impact, bidding and negotiation process and other lessons learned.   SPEAKERS Erin Noble, Co-Director, Renew Missouri, a project of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment Dane Glueck, President, Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association John Berendzen, Partner, Fox Architects speaking about the Emerson Data Center 100kW photovoltaic array Mike Steinbaum, VP & Chief Operating Officer, Sunwheel Energy Partners, discussing solar arrays installed on local low-income housing units   WHEN Tuesday, October 12, 2010 5:30 -6:00 pm - Registration & Networking 6:00 -7:30 pm - Formal Presentation  *note early start time*   WHERE AmerenUE Headquarters 1901 Chouteau, St. Louis MO 63103 map    FEE Free for USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter members & full-time students $20 for non-members SPECIAL FOR LEED PROFESSIONALS: All LEED Professionals are invited to attend this program for FREE regardless of their membership status!   RSVP Visit our Event Registration page, then scroll down and click on the "Register" button under the Photovoltaics: Concept to Completion - October 12 Program event listing.   Thanks to our Event Sponsors!        MicroGrid Energy Thanks to the Chapter's Platinum Sponsors!  AmerenUE  *  Grainger  *  William A. Kerr Foundation Missouri Botanical Garden  *  Vertegy, An Alberici Enterprise

Forward email US Green Building Council - St. Louis Regional Chapter | 3617 Grandel Square | St. Louis | MO | 63108

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Scott's Contracting
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://www.stlouisrenewableenergy.com
scotty@stlouisrenewableenergy.com