Scotts Contracting - StLouis Renewable Energy

4.19.2011

Missouri Lawmakers Enact Legislation that opposes Voters Wants

Missouri lawmakers outsource renewable energy, jobs to other regions of the country

PRESS RELEASE
February 23rd, 2011
Contact: PJ Wilson, co-director of Renew Missouri
417-459-7468, pj@renewmo.org

Jefferson City (February, 23rd 2011) - Missouri lawmakers have rolled back key provisions of the voter-approved Renewable Electricity Standard (RES), effectively driving jobs and economic development out of the state. SCR1, which went into effect today, removes the requirement that utilities generate renewable electricity, like wind, solar, and biomass, from in-state projects or from projects from surrounding states that deliver power into Missouri. Utilities will now comply with the RES by paying to outsource development of renewable energy projects to places like California, South Dakota, and Canada.

"We should be focused on development in Missouri," said PJ Wilson, co-director of Renew Missouri.   "Developing projects across the state in places like Neosho or Nodaway County could result in more than $4 billion in economic investment for our state and thousands of new jobs."

Legislators need look no further than Columbia for the benefits of requiring renewable energy standards to come from locally sourced projects. Last week, MFA Oil of Columbia announced its plans to create jobs in Missouri by investing in a large biomass project. The biomass project is expected to directly create more than 900 jobs and more than $150 million in annual economic development. The company states within its press release the investments are being made to help the City of Columbia meet its own municipal renewable electricity standard.

A University of Missouri - St. Louis study from 2008 calculated Missouri's RES would create 9,591 jobs and generate $2.86 billion in economic activity in Missouri over the next 20 years. The study assumed power was being generated in state or delivered into Missouri from surrounding states.

"This is just a matter of common sense. When spending ratepayer dollars on new projects, why outsource the projects and not build them here locally?" questioned PJ Wilson.

Missouri's RES, seen on the ballot as Prop C, which was passed into law in November 2008 with the support of 66% of voters statewide, requires that investor-owned utilities produce or buy no less than 15% of their electricity from renewable resources like wind, biomass, and solar by 2021. The Missouri RES includes strong consumer protections limiting any increase in costs to just 1% as a result of the state's RES.

Leaders on both side of the aisle have voiced strong support for a legislative solution to Missouri's RES and in response House Speaker Steven Tilley (R-Perryville) created a special Renewable Energy Committee to focus on the issue. "At the end of the day, investment in Missouri is what we want. It's what the intention of Prop. C was," said Rep Jason Holsman (D-45th) the Chairman of the newly created Special Committee on Renewable Energy. "Prop C needed to be drafted a little tighter and better to make sure that was the end outcome, and now we're going to seek a legislative solution to get the outcome that we were looking for which is more renewable energy for our state."

In response to SCR1, Gov. Nixon sent a letter last week to the entire General Assembly in which he says, "Now is not the time to abandon this critical opportunity to accelerate the development of renewable energy in Missouri. Renewable energy must be a cornerstone of our economic future."

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Scott's Contracting

Green Me UP-Scotty

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Call Today for Missouri Renewable Energy

Missouri Renewable Energy Bill moves to the House Floor

Your Calls Needed NOW!

HCS HB 613 which reinstates portions of the voter enacted Renewable Electricity Standard will be heard on the Floor of the Missouri House of Representatives this week.

After many hours of hard work by the Renewable Energy Committee a consensus was reached. But, efforts to weaken the bill are still a major threat.

The bill is weaker than the original Prop C language, but it will ensure an increase in development of Missouri's renewable energy industry.

It also ensures that renewable energy will be "sold to Missouri consumers" thus creating economic development in Missouri rather than the utility buying renewable energy credits from anywhere in the world.

Renew Missouri considers this version of the bill and the compromises made so for the bare minimum we can accept. We will work to improve the bill, but any further weakening of the standards will render the bill too weak to make a significant impact.

For further bill details, visit: www.renewmo.org/protect-prop-c.html

Please call your State Representative today to request

the bill move forward with no further weakening!

Call your House Legislator and explain:

1. It is critical to move HCS HB 613 forward with no weakening amendments so the Renewable Electricity Standard can finally be implemented.

2. Remind them that the Prop C - the MO RES passed by 66% of the voters in 2008.

3. Ask them to support the Renewable Energy Standards Bill 613 for clean energy and Missouri jobs!

To locate your legislator's phone number or email, please follow www.senate.mo.gov/llookup/leg_lookup.aspx and insert your zip code.

And lastly, please email me so I can track our legislative outreach efforts.

Thanks,

Carla Klein

Renew Missouri

Clean Energy Coordinator

Scott's Contracting

Green Me UP-Scotty

scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/StLHandyMan
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4.18.2011

Re: 3rd Congressional Voting Report

Kudos to MO Senator McCaskill in Cancelling out MO Sen Roy Blunts Votes and the Big Business, Big Oil, and Big Coal Industries that he supports!!!

April 18, 2011
In this MegaVote for Missouri's 3rd Congressional District:

Recent Congressional Votes

Senate: Fiscal 2011 Health Care Overhaul Funding

Senate: Fiscal 2011 Planned Parenthood Funding

Senate: Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement

House: To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund

House: Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement

House: Fiscal 2011 Health Care Overhaul Funding

House: Fiscal 2011 Planned Parenthood Funding

House: Fiscal 2012 House Budget Resolution

Editor's Note: Both the Senate and House are in recess until Monday, May 2, 2011.

Recent Senate Votes

Fiscal 2011 Health Care Overhaul Funding - Vote Rejected (47-53)

The Senate rejected this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for the implementation of the health care law in the 2011 fiscal year spending bill. The House adopted the resolution. Both chambers had to pass the resolution for it to be included in the final spending bill.

Sen. Roy Blunt voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Claire McCaskill voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Fiscal 2011 Planned Parenthood Funding - Vote Rejected (42-58)

The Senate rejected this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for Planned Parenthood in the 2011 fiscal year spending bill. The House adopted the resolution. Both chambers had to pass the resolution for it to be included in the final spending bill.

Sen. Roy Blunt voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Claire McCaskill voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement - Vote Passed (81-19)

The Senate gave final approval to this bill funding the government through the end of the current fiscal year. Based on the agreement negotiated to prevent a government shutdown, the bill provides $1.055 trillion in federal spending. The president signed the bill into law on Friday, April 15.

Sen. Roy Blunt voted YES......send e-mail or see bio
Sen. Claire McCaskill voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Recent House Votes

To repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund - Vote Passed (236-183, 13 Not Voting)

This House bill would eliminate funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was established by the health care law. Supporters of the bill say there is no accountability to determine where the money is spent. Opponents of the bill say it would defund important prevention programs. The Senate is unlikely to take up the measure.

Rep. Russ Carnahan voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Fiscal 2011 Spending Agreement - Vote Passed (260-167, 6 Not Voting)

The House passed this bill to fund the government through the end of the current fiscal year. Based on the agreement negotiated to prevent a government shutdown, the bill provides $1.055 trillion in federal spending. The Senate passed the bill later in the day, clearing it for the president.

Rep. Russ Carnahan voted YES......send e-mail or see bio

Fiscal 2011 Health Care Overhaul Funding - Vote Passed (240-185, 7 Not Voting)

Following passage of the 2011 spending bill, the House adopted this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for the implementation of the health care law. The Senate rejected the resolution so it will not be part of the final spending bill.

Rep. Russ Carnahan voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Fiscal 2011 Planned Parenthood Funding - Vote Passed (241-185, 1 Present, 5 Not Voting)

Following passage of the 2011 spending bill, the House adopted this enrollment correction resolution that would have blocked funding for Planned Parenthood. The Senate rejected the resolution so it will not be part of the final spending bill.

Rep. Russ Carnahan voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Fiscal 2012 House Budget Resolution - Vote Passed (235-193, 4 Not Voting)

The House passed a budget resolution that calls for $1.019 trillion in discretionary spending in the 2012 fiscal year. The budget resolution would allow for $2.859 trillion in overall spending. The resolution is non-binding but is used as a guideline for appropriators. The Senate is expected to work on its budget after the recess.

Rep. Russ Carnahan voted NO......send e-mail or see bio

Scott's Contracting

Green Me UP-Scotty
scottscontracting@gmail.com
http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com
http://scottscontracting.wordpress.com
http://twitter.com/StLHandyMan
https://www.facebook.com/GreenMeUPScotty

Earth Day-Fracking News

from: Gregg Ross, Democracy for America <

Scotty -

Last night I had the chance to watch Gasland, along with hundreds of DFA members across the country. The movie reminded me in vivid detail of the consequences of Dick Cheney's loophole for fracking that allows the oil and gas companies to do whatever they want in their pursuit of profit.

For those who are suffering debilitating health problems from the effects of fracking, the consequences are real.

For those whose communities are without safe drinking water, the consequences are real.

And for those like Josh Fox, the director of Gasland, who are wondering if their hometown will be completely destroyed by fracking, the consequences are real.

So we're getting real too by kicking our campaign to pass the FRAC Act into high gear. We'll be collecting tens of thousands of petition signatures at Earth Day events all over the country this weekend!

Will you gather signatures offline at an Earth Day event in your community?

Help us reach our goal by gathering 50 signatures at Earth Day events near you.

If you haven't seen the Academy Award nominated HBO documentary "Gasland" yet, then you might not know exactly how bad fracking really is. Frankly, I thought I knew. Now having seen the movie, it's even worse than I thought. Here's a quick breakdown:

Halliburton, along with other oil and gas companies, has been fracking for years -- completely unregulated by the Safe Drinking Water Act -- and injecting millions of tons of toxic chemical fluids into the ground to break apart shale and release natural gas. Independent Scientists believe these chemicals are poisoning America's drinking water. However, without federal regulation, the E.P.A. doesn't have the authority to even study it -- much less stop it.

That's why we need you.

We're working to build a campaign of over 100,000 Americans fighting to pass the FRAC Act in Congress. This bill would finally close the "Halliburton Loophole" created by Dick Cheney in the 2005 energy bill by ending the controversial drilling technique's exception from the Clean Drinking Water Act.

The oil and gas industry are spending millions of dollars fighting against these common-sense regulations. Let's make sure Congress doesn't fight them alone.

Sign up to gather signatures at an Earth Day event this weekend and get everything you need to make it happen.

As Josh Fox said last night, "People are under siege by an industry that seeks to take over as much territory as possible."

Well, Scotts, those people are relying on you and me.

I intend to not let them down. Can I count on you to join me?

-Gregg

Gregg Ross, Political Campaign Manager
Democracy for America

Democracy for America relies on you and the people-power of more than one million members to fund the grassroots organizing and training that delivers progressive change on the issues that matter. Please Contribute Today and support our mission.

Paid for by Democracy for America, http://www.democracyforamerica.com/?akid=702.1758181.qOK3eO&t=3 and not authorized by any candidate. Contributions to Democracy for America are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.