The Scorecard is divided into three major sections:

• A review of the major environmental bills that came up before the 2009 legislature (along with their fates) and the legislators who worked to pass or block the measures.
• A list of selected legislators whom we recognize for their Good Deeds or as Out of Step with strong environmental values.
• A vote chart that indicates how each state representative and senator voted on selected environmental bills.

MVC notes that the most notable successes were passage of the DNR bill, passage of energy efficiency legislation, defeat of the CWIP bill, and blocking the “Dirty Secrets” measure. Some of the other environmental “successes” according to MVC were:

• House Bill 661- Department of Natural Resources
  • Waste Tire Fee Extension until 2015
  • Stimulus Funds Distributions which will allow the state to distribute ARRA funds to local governments, public water or sewer districts, and other eligible entities
  • Energy Futures Fund allowing the fund to be used for energy-related activities including energy efficiency programs, energy studies, energy resource analyses, energy projects, and related departmental administration costs.
  • Energy-Related Activities and Grants-  authorizes the department to enter into cooperative agreements to seek and obtain federal grants; and it allows funds appropriated to the department for energy-related activities.
  • Water pollution control permit fees- extended the expiration date of the bill for one year.
• House Bill 734- Water Fees/Energy Fund
  • Energy efficiency appliances- requires any appliance purchased with state funds to have earned the Energy Star rating under the federally sponsored Energy Star Program.
• House Bill 191- Economic Development/ Historic Tax Credits
  • The bill caps the credits at $140 million with small projects under $1.1 million ($275k in tax credits) not counted against the cap. There was also a cap placed on owner-occupied single-family residential credits at $250,000 which was increased from the $25,000 proposed.
• Senate Bill 376- Energy Efficiency
  • Allows utilities to recoup the costs of energy-saving programs that they offer consumers, thereby making energy efficiency as profitable as building new power plants. Utilities can recoup their costs for energy efficiency programs, listing them as separate line-items on electric bills.
• Defeat of Senate Bill 228 and House Bill 554- CWIP
  • Bill would have repealed the Construction Work in Progress (CWIP) ban. The CWIP law currently prevents utilities from passing on the costs of construction of major power plants (including nuclear plants) to ratepayers during the construction phase.
• Defeat of House Bill 647- Audit Privilege
  • Measure would have permitted companies that self-report environmental spills and other incidents to receive immunity from prosecution. It would also have kept these incidents out of the public records.

These are just a few highlights from the Scorecard.  While there were a few disappointment this year, they are overshadowed by the numerous successes.  The full scorecard outlines these successes and disappointments and points out where various state legislators stood on each of these important conservation issues.

Click here for the full scorecard >

Missouri Votes Conservation is a non-partisan, statewide organization that focuses on the political arena to achieve sound conservation policy. We advocate for pro-environment legislation and political candidates in Missouri. MVC is affiliated with the national League of Conservation Voters.

Since it was founded in 2001 as the St. Louis Regional Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, membership has grown to more than 600 individuals representing a wide array of companies and organizations, all sharing a common vision to create a more sustainable Metro area.  The St. Louis Regional Chapter has been consistently honored as one of the top USGBC chapters in the nation – and as one of the city’s “Heroes of the Planet” for organizational excellence.

The USGBC-STL aims to support transformation of the built environment with a strong organization that excels in member services and engagement, education, advocacy and marketing around green building practices and principles. The website is one of the organization’s main tools for reaching out to the community and provides a wealth of information about the St. Louis built environment.

Some features of the website include:

• News on achievements in the built environment as it relates to green buildings.
• Information and training on LEED certification and other aspects of green building and design.
• Case studies and resources in the field of sustainable design and construction.  Includes information about green schools (K-12), government, higher education,  residential, and commercial green building.
• Calendar of events sponsored by the USGBC-STL focused on training, networking, and best practice sharing.

The new site also features a blog that will be a way for the  Chapter to share information on green building, LEED, sustainability and other “elements of green” in and around the St. Louis area.  The USGBC-STL has noted that this new website is currently in phase one and additional content will be added soon.  It will include LEED Project Profiles, a Member Directory, more Elements of Green and an expanded Resources section.

Check out the new website at www.usgbc-stl.org.

John May was so impressed with the outcome of the internship that he is now working to develop this concept into a regional program. The project has been coined the Regional Environmental Internship Program (REIP) and the goal is to make other interns available to St. Louis areas municipalities from various local universities. At a recent Gateway Center for Giving presentation he noted, “This can be a cooperative model important to students as a seminar experience—and that learning about environmental and health issues will take place at levels of local governments as well as with students.” More information about the REIP will be available soon.

Creve Coeur has been following the Cool Cities program approach that aims to address the “twin challenges” faced by municipalities- energy and climate change- through a five step process. Creve Coeur is currently working on step 3 and has already made some very impressive strides when in comes to energy saving initiatives including:

• Green Purchasing Policy adopted.
• Ice arena compressor upgraded to improve energy efficiency.
• Roof at Public Works Garage insulated and radiant heating system installed.
• Motion sensors installed to control lighting in Government Center meeting rooms.
• Programmable thermostats installed in City Government Center.
• Lamps in Government Center exit-signs replaced with LEDs.
• Stopped using bottled water at some City functions.

These are just a few of the energy saving initiatives implemented in Creve Coeur.  For the full list click here >

This community spotlight is one of the first of many that Sustainable St. Louis plans to share over the coming months.  We want to hear what your community is doing with regards to sustainability.  Please reach out and let us know how your local government and community is battling climate change so that we can share your successes with the rest of the region.  Email us at info@sustainstl.org.

The City has taken enormous steps towards becoming more sustainable including:

• Creating a “Green Practices Committee” to develop sustainability master plan.
• Joining ICLEI and accessing their GHG software
• Signing the US Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 7% by 2012.
• Conducting a GHG inventory
• Conducting energy audits of all city facilities
• Conducting street lighting audits and developing a plan to reduce electricity use.
• Adopting and instituting Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy.

Some of the other actions University City has taken over the past few years include:

• Retrofitting Historic City Hall to be the first municipal building in Missouri to be LEED certified.
• Being the first city to institute single stream recycling to make recycling easier while reducing the amount of waste.
• Use B-20 bio-diesel fuel for diesel fleet.
• Installing energy efficient ball field lighting.
• Working with Community Action Agency to weatherize homes of low income residents.
• Purchasing hybrid vehicles.
• Installing LED bulbs in all city owned traffic lights.
• Rain garden creation throughout the City.

One of University City’s more recent projects is their Green Homes Initiative. The city is seeking residential developers to submit proposals for five (5) properties it owns on the 6600 Block of Bartmer and Crest. The City is seeking development of LEED certified compact, green homes in this up and coming area of the city. For a preview of what the City hopes to receive, check out Petree Eastman’s presentation to the US Green Building Council-St. Louis Local Chapter’s April meeting.

University City has a green practices section of its website that provides an enormous amount of useful information to residents about what the City is doing to become more sustainable and how residents in the community can help. Ms. Eastman noted during her presentation that she is eager to work with other cities and municipalities in the region to share best practices and unite on sustainability issues affecting the community. She has been individually reaching out to city managers in the region and hopes that the new Green Government St. Louis Google Group created by Sustainable St. Louis will help facilitate that information sharing process.

For more information about University City’s sustainability efforts please visit their website-
http://www.ucitymo.org/index.aspx?nid=451

If you are a government employee (federal, state, municipal, county or special district) involved with sustainability practices or policies, and want to join the Green Government St. Louis Google Group click here >

• East St. Louis and Vicinity Eco-Restoration Project- Started as a regional study to solve the flooding problems of the county and determined the need for the reestablishment of the natural ecosystem of the historic stream systems in the American Bottom. Plan requires local units of government to acquire the necessary land rights to implement the recommendations. In the past three years, the county has acquired over 60 acres of land needed to implement the first project in the plan.
• Storm Water Commission and Management- To help accelerate the solutions to stormwater and general interior flooding in the County, the county got legislation passed that calls for comprehensive stormwater management plan to be developed. The plan will use natural systems to solve the stormwater issues.
• Metro-East Parks and Recreation District - Create a new regional park and recreation district mechanism with a funding stream based on a sales tax. This new district, called the Metro East Parks and Recreation District, was created by referendum in 2000.
• Confluence Greenway- Madison County is a partner in the regional Confluence Greenway, which is in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, along with 4 other not-for-profit organizations. The goal is to acquire all 5,500 acres of Chouteau Island and make it available for public open space that includes hunting, fishing, boating, trails, and primitive camping. Currently about 70% of the Island is in public ownership.
• Trail Network- development of a vast network of biking and hiking trails throughout the county. This system of trails has been steadily developed over the past 10 years and is now the most expansive trail system in the St. Louis region. Funding to develop the trail network has been primarily through the both the federal Transportation Enhancement Program and the Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Program (CMAQ).
• Corridor Planning- “I-55 Corridor Project” visioning process to plan for growth in a corridor that is experiencing rapid urban development. The goal of the I-55 Corridor plan is to protect this significant forested corridor and to serve as a natural flood storage corridor. The County, in cooperation with the partnering cities, completed a contract of a strategic analysis to determine the extent of the area that needs protection and the available programs that can be used to protect this corridor.

Frank Miles from the Madison County Planning and Development Department spoke at the RCGA Energy and Environment Council Event on July 17th and highlighted some of Madison’s proposed and more recent initiatives related to energy efficiency and sustainability. They include:

• Environmental Education Program- Madison County will partner with the Regional Office of Education and the Planning and Development Department to help supplement and create an environmental curricula program targeted to middle school students. Madison has applied for a grant to procure a part-time environmental program educator.
• Green Intern- Madison secured the services of a Green Intern from Lewis and Clark Community College to identify new green technologies, apply for grants, and develop inventories. The intern is helping to start a Green procurement pilot program for the planning department to buy green – then make recommendations on its application to other programs county- wide. Additionally, planning is underway for Madison’s Environmental Expo to be held with Lewis and Clark College.

Additionally, Madison County has done an impressive job taking advantage of the grant opportunities that are currently available and is busy applying for funds to supplement various environmental restoration programs and management projects that are mentioned above. Some of the grants they are currently pursuing include:

• Climate Showcase Community Grant Program- in coordination with Lewis and Clark Community College, Madison is applying for this EPA grant designed to assist local communities in implementing climate change initiatives with a goal of achieving real green house gas reductions from a range of activities and community types. Click here for the presentation given at the RCGA event pertaining to Madison’s proposal for the Climate Showcase Community grant >
• North American Wetlands Conservation Act Grant Program (NAWCA)- applying for $75,000 in grant funds under this federal program to assist Madison County Government and the Southwestern Illinois Resource Conservation & Development Council in providing permanent protection to a strategically situated 55-acre wetland site within Madison County. An immediate goal will be to place a conservation easement on the property to ensure that long-term protection and monitoring of the site are guaranteed.
• C2000 Grant Program- this grant from the IL Dept of Natural Resources is for the purchase of an addition 14 acres of land as part of the Old Cahokia Creek Restoration project. It involves the reconstruction of a restored stream, new forested areas, redeveloped wetland and construction of new grassy areas.
• Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants- grant from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) to reduce the risk to individuals and properties from natural disasters, and to reduce the financial costs of such disasters. Madison is looking to use this money to fund Storm Water management projects to help the county possibly purchase Stormwater Inlet Control Valves or Rainbloks. They aid in controlling stormwater runoff in developed areas.

These conservation initiatives that Madison County has been and continues to tackle provide inter-related benefits and begin to address the many natural resource problems that have plagued the County and the region. They are laying the necessary foundation to avoid these problems in the future.

For more information about how Madison County is tackling climate change and conservation issues visit the Madison County Planning and Development Website- http://www.co.madison.il.us/planning/

Mark Templeton

Mr. Templeton spoke regarding 3 topics: 1) The article in this morning’s Post Dispatch regarding the withholding of e. coli data at the Lake of the Ozarks; 2) DNR’s priorities; and 3) The flow of money into the region as a result of the federal stimulus package. With respect to the withholding of data, he pledged that data will be released promptly going forward.

Missouri DNR just this week had it strategic planning retreat for the top officials and the top priorities are laid out below:

1. Ensuring water quality and quantity (especially in S.W. Missouri) and working to improve impaired watersheds
2. Improving Missouri’s ranking in energy efficiency (currently 45 out of 50) and in renewable energy (currently 49 out of 50)
3. Greening the economy by working with RCGA on the Climate Prosperity Project
4. Leading by example and working with businesses using DNR’s “soft” powers of persuasion and encouragement

Much of Mr. Templeton’s remarks centered on having DNR support sustainability and to move beyond compliance and work with businesses and communities. He believes that “incentives spur creativity” and was especially excited at the passage of Senate Bill 376, also known as the Energy Efficiency and Investment Act, that was signed into law by Governor Nixon yesterday.

Mr. Templeton stated that much of DNR’s time has been spent dealing with issues related to the stimulus funds. DNR received $125MM over 3 years to go towards weatherization of low income housing. [For perspective, they currently have about $7MM per year.] Funds are also being applied for state energy programs such as increasing residential, industrial, and agricultural efficiency and $1.7MM was given for clean diesel projects as well as additional funds to be used for dealing with Leaking Underground Storage Tanks (LUSTs). The other priority for Missouri DNR has been in the area of energy block grants that they are currently writing RFPs for. He also noted that the state will be putting together its first state energy plan.

Following Mr. Templeton’s presentation were presentations on regional energy efficiency programs including remarks from: Tim Embree, Office of St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay; Darin Cline, Office of St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley; Greg Prestemon, Economic Development Center of St. Charles; and Frank Miles, Madison County Planning and Development Department.

Former Senator Warner was joined by Roger N. Beachy, President, Danforth Plant Science Center; Dennis McGinn, Vice Admiral U.S. Navy Ret.;  Eric Greiten, Navy Seal; and Phillys Cuttino, Director, U.S. Global Warming Campaign, Pew Environment Group.

The forum focused on showcasing climate change as more than an economic, political, or environmental issue but as a national security issue as well.  The panelists talked about national security and climate change in the context of food security, energy security, and political security. Warner pushed for the United States needs to take a leadership role when it come to CO2 and encourage Conrgess to come up with a “framework of laws” soon.  All panelists stressed the importance of policy to be effective in combatting climate change.

McGinn made the presentation local by highlighting the regional trends that are related to climate change including- rising temperatures, extending growing seasons, increased number of heat waves/droughts, and instances of flood.  He stressed the urgency of the matter and asked the audience to “act  now” by quoting General Gordon Sullivan.

“If you wait until you have 100% certainty, something bad is going to happen on the battlefield.”

The Pew  Project is pressing the point that if left unchecked, global warming could lead to civil strife, genocide, conflicts over water and other resources, and increased terrorism.  All would have a profound affect on the national security of the United States.  Warner closed the event by stressing that the issue is in “our” hands and that we (the audience) needs to make some measure of sacrifice at home and at the office to combat climate change.

For more information about the Pew Project on National Security, Energy, and Climate- http://www.pewclimatesecurity.org.

One of the main funding categories in the TIP is the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program. This program funds projects in air quality non-attainment areas and maintenance areas for ozone, carbon monoxide, and small particulate matter, with the goal of reducing transportation-related emissions and helping metropolitan areas comply with national ambient air quality standards. The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) requires that the TIP and Long-Range Plan conform to plans to improve air quality in the metropolitan St. Louis area since the area is presently categorized as a moderate non-attainment area with respect to the eight-hour ozone standard as well as a non-attainment area for the fine particle standard.

A close look at the plan highlights that the Illinois program for FY 2010-2013 includes 11 new CMAQ projects.  The CMAQ projects are listed as “other” and include projects focused on activities such as rideshare programs, park- and-ride lots, and use of biodiesel fuel.   The St. Louis region as a whole has budgeted 7.4%, or $44 million, of the total budget to such projects.

A major objective of the transportation planning process is to ensure that the projects and policies set out in the Transportation Improvement Program help to reduce, where possible, and minimize air quality impacts of
transportation projects in accordance with federal, state, and local air quality standards, regulations, and
priorities. Pages 37 & 38 of the 300 page document highlight an analysis on air quality and how the the transportation plan intends to conform with the air quality improvement plans for the region.

For the full EWG TIP report- http://www.ewgateway.org/pdffiles/library/trans/tip/fy2010-2013/TIP-FY2010-2013.pdf

MSR contracts individually with both generators of residential shingles and end-user’s who are permitted and can reuse and beneficially recycle the shingles so that they are not disposed of in a landfill.  Currently the company specializes in contract onsite grinding but will soon have drop off locations in the area for tear off roof shingles. MSR grinds stockpiled tear-off roof shingles and factory rejects into the highest quality Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) for use in hot mix asphalt for road construction. Recycling the roofing material will not only keep mountains of waste out of the state’s landfills, it will also help make asphalt pavements better and more economical. In addition, recycling the shingles reduces the amount of new asphalt and aggregate that needs to be processed from the earth. Using recycled asphalt shingles allows the amount of liquid asphalt in a mix design to be reduced by 20%- 25%.

Missouri Department of Transportation was actually one of the first state agencies in the nation to recycle tear- off shingles to resurface or rebuild highways.  Using recycled shingles in this fashion save $3- $5 per ton of asphalt.

For more information on shingle recycling- http://www.shinglerecycling.org/

For more information on the RotoChopper RG-1- http://www.rotochopper.com/Shingle_Grinders.php

The presenters showcased the grants and loan programs available to Missouri citizens and businesses and how to best access them.  Green business, renewable energy, and energy conservation were major topics of conversation and a reoccuring theme in terms of where American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds are being targeted.

The Transform Missouri Initiative and the EPA’s CARE Program (Community Action for a Renewed Environment) are two examples of how Missouri can take advantage of federal funds locally by bringing communities together.  The presenters came with an abundance of handouts showcasing the resources available including a 40 page resource guide to the ARRA funds available in Missouri.

The highlight of the session was McCaskill’s hour long question and answer session that opened her up to tough questions from the audience mostly on the issues of healthcare and energy policy.  The afternoon closed with a presentaion by Dr. Jackie Chambers Ph.D on how to research and write grants.

Check out McCaskill’s website for future works shops on make sure your voice is there to be heard on energy and conservation issues.

Click here to see all of the presentations from the workshop >

Click here McCaskill’s Resource Guide for the Economic Stimulus >

Click here for the Government Grants homepage to learn about all the grants available through the federal government>