Mark Templeton, the Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR), spoke this morning at the St. Louis RCGA Energy & Environmental Council meeting. He believes strongly that DNR needs to consider the economic, social, and political realities that affect environmental issues. Mr. Templeton also stated that he does not believe the goals of DNR can be met through regulation alone.

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.

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Tags: Climate Prosperity Inc, Climate Prosperity Project, DNR, energy efficiency, Grants, Mark Templeton, RCGA

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