Washington University also has agreed to spend $45,000 to help the St. Louis Public Schools remove hazardous waste at 12 school buildings.  Whitley says the project helps the school district and allows the university to mitigate its civil penalties.

The reverse auction was held as part of the Energize Missouri Industries program, an initiative of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The overall goal of the online auction is to provide industries and commercial entities with the opportunity to realize measurable energy savings that will result in reduced energy costs and increased market competitiveness.

When all the winners fully implement their programs, Missouri could save up to 75 million kWh (kilowatt-hours) of energy, equivalent to powering 6,537 homes for a year or taking 10,299 cars off the road for a year.

The online reverse auction allowed pre-qualified providers to bid on $3 million in incentives on a $/kWh saved basis for expected energy efficiency projects. Available incentive dollars were allocated based on a lowest-price obtained, thus increasing the cost-effectiveness of the program and allowing the Department to spread the dollars further.

“We have new, hard evidence that some energy-efficiency investments in Missouri can cost less than the current cost of power,” said Mark N. Templeton, Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. “Innovative procurement tools can help Missourians save real dollars. These grants are an investment in this state’s long-term energy savings and industrial competitiveness.”

The winning bidders were:

$500,00 grants

AmerenUE, St. Louis, $$0.0325/kWh for a projected total of 15.4 million kWh saved

The Gasket Guy dba Green Energy Masters, Jefferson City, $0.0325/kWh for a projected total of 15.4 million kWh saved

$250,000 grants

8760 Energy Engineering, LLC, St. Louis, $0.0275/kWh for a projected total of 8.5 million kWh saved

Eco Engineering, LLC, Cincinnati, OH, $0.0294/kWh for a projected total of 8.3 million kWh saved

Missouri Enterprise, Rolla, $0.0275/kWh for a projected total of 9.1 million kWh saved

Murphy Company Mechanical Contractors, St. Louis, $0.0275/kWh for a projected total of 9 million kWh saved

$100,000 grants

HTE Technologies, St. Louis, $0.0900/kWh for a projected total of 1.1 million kWh saved

Innovative Facilities Solutions, St. Louis, $0.950/kWh for a projected total of 1.1 million kWh saved

Schaeffer Marketing Group, Inc., St. Louis, $0.100/kWh for a projected total of 1.0 million kWh saved

Arctic Solar Engineering, LLC, Chesterfield, $0.100/kWh for a projected total of 1 million kWh saved

Ozark Energy Services, Joplin, $0.1050/kWh for a projected total of 952,381 kWh saved

Energy Solutions, Inc., University City, $.01050/kWh for a projected total of 952,381 kWh saved

Zeller Technologies, Inc., St. Louis, $0.1098/kWh for a projected total of 910,747 kWh saved

Metropolitan Energy Center, Kansas City, $0.1100 kWh saved for a projected total of 909,091 kWh saved

Environmental Dynamics, Inc., Columbia, $0.1100 kWh saved for a projected total of 909,091 kWh saved

Blue Sky Lighting Products, LLC, Wentzville, $0.1100 kWh saved for a projected total of 909,091 kWh saved

The 16 reverse auction winners will have two years to identify industrial and commercial customers to implement energy efficiency projects to expend their allotment of incentive funds and fulfill their energy savings obligation to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

The Department will work closely with the reverse auction winners to assist with funding efforts that support energy efficiency projects as well as provide a financial savings. The winning bidders must have their energy-savings plans reviewed by the department before implementation.

Each company will continue to maintain independent trait discovery programs; specific candidate genes to advance for joint development will be nominated by each company from those programs. Projects will be jointly funded through each phase of development, and those products emerging from the joint development will be commercialized by Monsanto and the profits will be shared, with Monsanto receiving 60% of net profits and BASF receiving 40%.

BASF and Monsanto will initially focus on developing biotech wheat products for the North American and Australian markets. The first enhanced yielding wheat product is expected to reach the market after 2020, to be followed by successive generations of higher-yielding wheat varieties.

Wheat is the world’s second largest commodity crop after corn, with demand expected to grow.

“The RCGA is pleased to be honored with this national award,” said RCGA President and Chief Executive Office Richard C.D. Fleming. “Even in its early stages, the Climate Prosperity Project is positioning the St. Louis region to join our civic colleagues in Silicon Valley, Portland, and Denver to demonstrate that economic development and responding to climate change challenges and opportunities are not mutually exclusive,” noted Fleming.  “It’s all part of our region’s overall effort to be viewed as a ‘location of choice’ for business entrepreneurship, expansion, relocation and talent,” Fleming concluded.

The RCGA leads the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project which envisions a greenbelt economy through green savings, green opportunities and green talent.  The Project features the Green Business Challenge, the St. Louis Green Economy Profile and the St. Louis Green Talent Strategy. The RCGA initiated the St. Louis Green Business Challenge to encourage members to adopt sustainable business practices. To identify opportunities in the green economy, the RCGA commissioned a study by Collaborative Economics, the nation’s leading green jobs research firm. The St. Louis Green Economy Profile has launched a discussion of the region’s strengths, specialization, and innovation in the core green economy. The Green Talent Strategy is a collaboration of the RCGA and the Workforce Investment Board to engage local employers, educational institutions, and job training providers to align the region’s green workforce.

Sixty-two organizations participate in the St. Louis Green Business Challenge which helps companies improve their sustainability and make St. Louis a greener region.  The Challenge uses a scorecard to assist green teams which develop outreach, energy, indoor environmental quality, waste, water and transportation action plans.  The RCGA partners with the Missouri Botanical Garden to provide technical consulting and site visits.

Launched in January 2010, the Challenge has already achieved reductions in energy usage at participating companies.  The scorecard has stimulated companies to adopt recycling programs, enforce no-idling loading docks, and encouraged transit and carpooling.

The RCGA and U.S. Green Building Council led the High Performance Building Initiative.  The goal is to “green every building in St. Louis.”  The seminar series included addresses by U.S. Representative Russ Carnahan, Chair of the Congressional High Performance Building Caucus, a case study on the economic and social value of high performing buildings, and a detailed presentation on financing options of green buildings at the federal, state, and local levels.   Over 300 business leaders, construction firms, and designers participated.  Plans are underway for the next series of these popular seminars.

Climate Prosperity, Inc. (www.climateprosperityproject.org) is a national, non-profit 501-c-3 public-purpose organization that seeks to advance community efforts to address the challenges of climate change from the perspective of economic development opportunities. The one-year old organization has received startup and ongoing funding support from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the California-based Marisala Foundation

Fleming, President and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA), commented, “Andre brings broad-gauged economic development and public policy experience to his new position. We are delighted to have recruited a professional of his stature.”

Since 2007, Pettigrew has served as cabinet head of Economic Development and International Trade in the administration of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper. Previously, he served as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer of the Denver Public School system, as well as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Personnel and General Services in the cabinet of then- Colorado Gov. Roy Romer.

Pettigrew also previously served as Vice President for Economic Development, and Director of the Boulder, Colo. Development Commission at the Boulder Chamber of Commerce.

Reflecting on his new position, Pettigrew observed, “The Climate Prosperity Project is committed to the creation of a low-carbon and prosperous American economy by utilizing regional economic development strategies and resources as a path to sustainability. More than ever, communities recognize that successful ‘climate action’ can be measured in terms of business expansion and growth, innovation, capital formation and job creation, as well as by environmental enhancement. We will emphasize these economic measures in addition to the environmental measures that are typically associated with climate change.”

Mayor Hickenlooper said, “Andre and his management team reset the Office of Economic Development priorities in light of our tough economy by focusing on jobs and supporting Denver businesses. Clearly, a number of innovative programs initiated under Andre’s direction ― and in direct response to our challenging economy ― have laid a good foundation for economic development in our City.”

Climate Prosperity, Inc. is seeking to demonstrate the viability of its regional economic development strategy by increasing “Green Savings, Green Opportunity, and Green Talent.” The organization’s initial focus has been to establish a national organization and to fund and partner with four Pilot Communities. These communities ― Silicon Valley, CA; St. Louis, MO; Portland, OR; and Denver, CO ― are already well along in their regional strategies.

Rockefeller Brothers Fund Program Director for Sustainable Development Michael Northrop commented, “The Rockefeller Brothers Fund is pleased be an active funding and substantive partner in the continuing evolution of Climate Prosperity, Inc. as a national platform for demonstrating that responding to climate change and economic development can go hand-in-hand. The recruitment of Andre Pettigrew as Executive Director brings a unique blend of relevant experience, knowledge and skills to the Climate Prosperity effort.”

Pettigrew will be charged with executing Climate Prosperity, Inc.’s business and organizational plans, including managing relationships with the four existing pilot communities and other organizational partners; representing Climate Prosperity, Inc. at state and national forums; and developing and managing fundraising strategies and proposals. He will be based at the organization’s national headquarters at 1429 21st Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

SOURCE St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.climateprosperityproject.org

Where: Schlafly Bottleworks
7260 Southwest Ave. (at Manchester)
Maplewood, MO 63143
(314) 241- BEER (2337)

When: Wednesday July 21st, 6:30 to 9pm (panel 7pm)

Suggested donation: $3

• Sustainable Visionary: a long-time advocate for the environment
• Sustainable Communities: from green builders to city leaders
• Sustainable Employee Programs: providing unique ways to promote eco-consciousness
• Sustainable Business Operations: making money while being green
• Sustainable Products: making money from items that are green
• Sustainable Alliances: facilitating partnerships for the environment
• Giving Green: environmentally sensitive philanthropists

All nominations must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, July 30. Finalists will be profiled in the October 22 issue of the Business Journal and winners will be announced at an awards dinner on October 21.

For questions regarding nominations, contact Rob Hurtt at 314.421.8323 or rhurtt@bizjournals.com. If you’d like to see a list of previous honorees, e-mail Kelly at krowland@bizjournals.com.

All nominations must be completed in one sitting. Information cannot be saved and completed at a later date.

This prestigious national award, which recognizes innovation at a chamber of commerce, was presented by the Chapel Hill, NC-based Institute for Sustainable Development, and was held at the Research Triangle Foundation headquarters. The award was given “for the RCGA’s efforts and the nationwide example it has set to advance sustainability,” noted Chris Carmody, Executive Director of the Institute for Sustainable Development.

The other presenters at the Green Plus North American Sustainable Enterprise Awards program on Friday were Rick Weddle, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Research Triangle Foundation, and Tony Waldrop, Vice Chancellor for Research and Economic Development at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

RCGA Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President of Communications and Marketing Don Meyer accepted the award on behalf of the RCGA, commenting, “last year, the RCGA Board made Climate Prosperity one of our organization’s top priorities for the future. It is gratifying to have this regional initiative recognized nationally.”

The award presenters heralded The St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project, the RCGA’s strategic initiative to lead the St. Louis region in linking sustainability and green economy economic development, as a national model for sustainability.

“The RCGA is pleased to be honored with this national award. Even in its early stages, the Climate Prosperity Project is positioning the St. Louis region to join our civic colleagues in Silicon Valley, Portland, and Denver to demonstrate that economic development and responding to climate change challenges and opportunities are not mutually exclusive,” noted RCGA President and Chief Executive Officer Richard C.D. Fleming. “It’s all part of our region’s overall effort to be viewed as a ‘location of choice’ for business entrepreneurship, expansion, relocation and talent.”

National Climate Prosperity Project

St. Louis is one of four metropolitan regions selected as Pilots for the Climate Prosperity Project, a national civic venture committed to linking environmental concerns with economic development opportunity. The project was established last year by the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and Fleming is President of the Board of Trustees of the national group. St. Louis joined Denver, Seattle, and Silicon Valley as the first Pilot regions to adopt the Climate Prosperity Project.

The mission of the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project is to create and sustain regional prosperity by cultivating green savings, green opportunities and green talent. The RCGA has programs in each of these areas, such as the St. Louis Green Economy Profile (green opportunities), the St. Louis Green Labor Market Information Project (green talent) and the St. Louis Green Business Challenge (green savings), as well as the work of the RCGA’s Energy and Environment Council.

Core Green Economy In St. Louis Is Growing

Several recent studies have shown that conservation, efficiency and innovation can help advance regional prosperity and economic development.

Last year, the RCGA commissioned The St. Louis Region Green Economy Profile, as part of the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project. This just-completed analysis found that green economy jobs in the St. Louis region grew by 54%, compared to 4% for all jobs, between 1995 and 2008. The study was completed by Collaborative Economics, Inc., the leading Silicon Valley-based economics research firm which completed the national Green Economy Study for the Pugh Foundation and the national Governors’ Conference. The study found that the St. Louis region now has nearly 9,000 jobs in the core green economy. During a similar period, Silicon Valley grew at a rate of 53% on a base of 14,000 core green economy jobs. Although a relatively small percentage of overall jobs, core green economy jobs represent an emerging strength for the region.

The core green economy consists of products and services that provide alternatives to carbon-based energy sources, conserve the use of energy and natural resources, reduce pollution (including greenhouse gas emissions) and repurpose waste.

In addition, the St. Louis region has thousands of jobs in the “adaptive” green economy — jobs located in businesses that are greening their products, processes and supply chains. Examples of these adaptive businesses include Boeing’s use of biofuels in their aircraft, Emerson’s Global Data Center’s with state-of-the-art energy efficiency and renewable energy technology, and Enterprise Holding’s installation of thousands of thin-film terminals at their retail locations. Future RCGA reports will measure the growth of these adaptive green economy jobs in the St. Louis region.

The core green economy jobs are spread across a diverse array of industry sectors, each with different rates of growth. 79% of the St. Louis regional core green employment is concentrated in four industry sectors: recycling and waste, air and environment, water and wastewater, and energy efficiency.

The Washington, D.C.-based Partners for Livable Communities also recently showcased the RCGA’s efforts in their new report “The Dollars and Sense of Green Business” which highlighted innovation and leadership at 22 chambers of commerce. The report’s authors called the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project “one of the newest and most ambitious initiatives marrying climate protection and economic development.”

North American Sustainable Enterprise Awards Program Held At Research Triangle Park
HQ in North Carolina

Local Harvest Café – Local Harvest isn’t just a name, it’s the way this café does business. At least 50 percent of the ingredients you see on the Local Harvest menu come from farms within 150 miles of St. Louis. The café prides itself on offering the freshest seasonal and organic food. Local Harvest also recycles and uses biodegradable packaging whenever it can. The café is located at 3137 Morgan Ford Road, just south of Tower Grove Park. (314) 772-8815.

Terrene – For a fine dining experience with an eco-friendly flair, try dinner at Terrene in the Central West End. Much of the meat, produce and other menu items at Terrene come from area farmers. The restaurant recycles, composts and even gives its used fryer oil for bio diesel cars. Terrene is located at 33 North Sarah St. (314) 535-5100.

Sassafras Café – In 2008, Sassafras Café at the Missouri Botanical Garden became the first Certified Green restaurant in the state. The café recycles everything it can and uses products made from recycled material. It also has skylights to cut down on energy use and aerators in kitchen sinks to reduce water consumption. The menu includes organic greens, as well as fair-trade certified coffees and teas. (314) 577-5100

Pi Pizzeria – Pi has quite a following among pizza lovers for its deep-dish, cornmeal crust pies. You’ll find lots of locally-sourced ingredients on the menu, as well as an eco-friendly wine list. Pi also uses recycled products, low-energy lighting and reclaimed building materials to reduce its impact on the environment. Pi has three locations: 6144 Delmar Boulevard in the Loop, 10935 Manchester Road in Kirkwood and 400 North Euclid in the Central West End. (314) 727-6633.

Schlafly Bottleworks – The chef at Schlafly Bottleworks in Maplewood doesn’t have to go far to find fresh organic produce. It’s right outside in the brewpub’s garden. The garden grows thousands of pounds of greens, tomatoes and other veggies for use in the Bottleworks kitchen. Schlafly also supports local farmers by hosting the Maplewood Farmer’s Market on the Bottleworks parking lot in warmer months. And, Schlafly is committed to recycling, composting and using renewable energy. The Bottleworks is located at 7260 Southwest Avenue. (314) 241-BEER.

Café Osage – Café Osage is operated by Bowood Farms and serves up all kinds of local foods. There’s organic produce from the vegetable garden across the street, herbs grown on the café’s green roof and grass-fed bison raised on the farm in Clarksville, Missouri. Next to the cafe is a full service garden center where you can get everything you need for your own organic garden. Café Osage is located at 4605 Olive Street in the Central West End. (314) 454-6868.

OR Smoothie & Café – For a quick lunch or dinner, stop by OR Smoothie & Café. The restaurant offers a wide range of organic smoothies, as well as wraps, soups, sandwiches and other casual fare. There’s also a vegan menu. OR Smoothie & Café has two locations in the St. Louis area: 6654 Clayton Road in Richmond Heights and 3 North Euclid in the Central West End. (314) 647-8881.

Rooster – Rooster is s popular brunch and lunch spot in downtown St. Louis known for its crepes. Its menu includes a variety of local and regional food including pork and beef from area farms, and milk, cream and cheese from Heartland Dairy in northeast Missouri. Rooster also serves organic, fair-trade coffee and espresso. Rooster is located at 1104 Locust. (314) 241-8118

Black Bear Bakery – You’ll find organic breads, cookies, muffins, pies and more at Black Bear Bakery. The bakery is committed to environmental sustainability and to its workers. For more than 20 years, Black Bear has operated as a worker-owned collective. In addition to the bakery, there’s also a café serving breakfast and sandwiches, or check out the special vegan brunch on Sundays. Black Bear Bakery is located at 2639 Cherokee Street in south St. Louis. (314) 771-2236

Foundation Grounds – Foundation Grounds in Maplewood bills itself as “your green coffee house.” There’s organic, free-trade coffee and locally grown food on the menu, but the restaurant also helps the environment by recycling, using eco-friendly cleaning products and serving beverages in biodegradable cups. Foundation Grounds is located at 7298 Manchester Road. (314) 601-3588

Whether you’re in the mood for a casual lunch or more upscale dining, St. Louis has a good variety of eco-friendly restaurants where you can get a meal and still go green. So the next time you decide to eat out, consider giving one of these fine establishments a try.

Article by Deborah O’Brien, EcoLifeSTL Staff Writer