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IMAGINE KC SERIES ON KCPT AIRS SEGMENT ON AREA ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND CONSERVATION INITIATIVES JANUARY 27, 2011 AT 7:30 P.M. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Kansas City Public Television (KCPT) recognize the need to raise awareness around, and present solutions to the economic, social and environmental challenges facing the rapidly growing Kansas City region. Imagine KC, a 12-part series, co-produced by KCPT and MARC, intends to provide reliable information around issues and ideas to encourage informed decision making and help our communities plan for a vibrant, connected and green future. Using video footage from throughout the region, graphics, animated scenarios, expert interviews and viewer feedback, the series will focus on helping the region envision its future. Objectives of Imagine KC Each episode will:
Episode 2: Energy Efficiency and Conservation
In the debut episode of Imagine KC we introduced the three Cs of a vision for creating a more vibrant, connected and green Kansas City region — Centers, Corridors and Conservation. This second episode will focus on the third C, Conservation, as we talk about energy efficiency and conservation in our built environment — the homes we live in, the buildings where we work, the schools we attend, even our city and county facilities. By making our built environment more energy efficient and conserving energy, we save money, protect natural resources and create more attractive and comfortable places to live, work, learn and recreate. This episode will take a look at work that’s leading the way toward a more sustainable energy future for our region. We’ll explore the benefits of LEED-certified building practices in the public and private sectors, community weatherization initiatives to help residents save energy and money, and we’ll learn about new and exciting energy technologies designed to improve our homes and public services. Tune in January 27, at 7:30 p.m Shedding Light on 2012's Phase-In of Energy-Efficient Bulbs Author: Miriam Berg -- The federal government’s energy efficiency standards for light bulbs are expected to save Americans money on their electric bills and make it easier for them to choose the type of lighting they want, according to several energy and lighting organizations. “We want to make sure that consumers know about the transition to efficient lighting and embrace the new technologies being offered by the lighting manufacturers," said Gail Hendrickson, the Alliance’s executive vice president for external communications and operations. “Efficient lighting products will reduce energy use nationwide and have a positive impact on the environment.” California put the new standards in place at the beginning of this year, and they will spread across the United States in January 2012. At that time, light bulb manufacturers will be subject to minimum requirements for the amount of light emitted per unit of energy used in general service light bulbs. By 2014, the old fashioned, energy-hogging bulbs that have remained unchanged for decades will gradually be replaced by many more energy-efficient, cost-effective options throughout the United States. Out with the Old... Despite exponential progress in technology, the incandescent light bulb has sustained its form since Thomas Edison designed it more than a century ago. Now, the United States is catching up to several countries around the world that are transitioning to more efficient lighting. Just what are lumens? Lumens measure the amount of light emitted by a bulb. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the bulb. For instance:
With new light bulbs, gauging lumens will be more relevant than watts when choosing which bulbs to purchase. The U.S. lighting transition is part of the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA), which requires manufacturers to develop light bulbs that produce the same amount of brightness (lumens) with less energy (watts). The more stringent standards mean incandescent light bulbs must become at least 28 percent more efficient. In other words, the everyday, 100-watt bulb will have to produce the same brightness by using just 72 watts. Because most incandescent light bulbs cannot meet the new energy efficiency requirements, they will dwindle from store shelves. However, the regulation does not “ban” any particular bulb. “The standards are ‘technology neutral,’ which means that no specific type of light bulb is being banned. Instead, EISA sets a performance standard that requires light bulbs to generate a specific amount of light for a certain amount of energy used,” explained Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Jen Stutsman. But the standards also support lighting options that are vastly more efficient than incandescents could ever be. ... In with the New Far from limiting options on lighting, manufacturers and retailers are offering modernized incandescent light bulbs and brand new, high-efficiency options for homes and offices that reduce energy and cost, according to American Lighting Association (ALA) Communications Director Amy Wommack. “Many of these products have a payback from a financial standpoint, which means that their somewhat higher initial cost is paid back to the purchaser over time by energy and maintenance cost savings,” Wommack said. The increased variety of energy-efficient lighting options include halogens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and compact flourescent lamps (CFLs). Most applicable for homes, CFLs use one-fourth the energy that traditional incandescents use to provide the same amount of light; CFLs also last 10 times longer and come in a variety of lighting colors and dimming options. "The lighting choices consumers will have … after the new efficiency standards take effect will provide consumers with increased energy savings. However, some consumers may not be familiar with the new lighting choices and should understand which light bulbs meet their particular needs before purchasing," said National Electrical Manufacturers Association Government Relations Manager Justin Neumann. New Labeling New Light Bulb Labels In addition to EISA’s raised efficiency standards, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission will require manufacturers of incandescent, CFL and LED light bulbs to use new labels on consumer packages starting in summer 2011. For easy comparisons between light bulbs, the front of each package will feature the bulb’s brightness measured in lumens and yearly energy cost. The back of each package will feature a label similar to Nutrition Facts on food packages. In addition to brightness and energy costs, the Lighting Facts label reports the bulb’s wattage, appearance (such as “warm” or “cool”), mercury content and a link to instructions on safe disposal. “When purchasing light bulbs, consumers will need to understand how many lumens they need, and look for that number on the package instead of making decisions based on wattage,” said ENERGY STAR Brand Manager Maria Vargas. These new packaging requirements will change the way Americans refer to light bulbs, according to the ALA. So, instead of buying a “100-watt” light bulb, people will soon buy a “1500-lumen” light bulb. On the Bright Side Many Americans welcome the new energy-efficient lighting, according to a survey by OSRAM SYLVANIA . The study found that more than half of Americans have already started installing CFLs in their homes and plan on switching to efficient lighting by 2012. These first adopters stand to save the most: On average, American households will save $143 on their electric bills each year after transitioning to efficient lighting, according to NEMA (dollar figure based on average number of sockets per household and assumes use of incandescents only pre-transition). Moreover, during the next 30 years, the new lighting standards are estimated to save the amount of energy it would take to light every U.S. home for 19 years under current standards, according to the Department of Energy’s Stutsman. The transition also will be gradual, occurring in three phases:
“These increases in energy efficiency will save American families and businesses billions of dollars a year, while dramatically reducing carbon pollution across the country,” Stutsman said. As more efficient lighting becomes the norm, consumers can expect efficient light bulbs themselves to become more economical. Already, prices for CFLs have decreased from $10 – $15 per piece to $2 – $3 per piece, according to ALA’s Wommack. ACEEE STATE ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICY SCORECARD IS OUT The fourth edition of ACEEE’s State Energy Efficiency Scorecard is a comprehensive state energy efficiency policy Scorecard to document best practices, recognize leadership among the states, and provide a roadmap for other states to follow. The Scorecard benchmarks state efforts on energy efficiency policies and programs with the goal of encouraging states to continue to raise the bar in their efficiency commitments. While several states have been pursuing energy efficiency for decades and are leading the way, several new leaders are quickly emerging by adopting and implementing innovative new efficiency policies. The Scorecard finds that many states can accomplish much more to encourage energy efficiency and cannot afford to be left behind. The ACEEE report provides a comprehensive assessment of policy and programs that improve energy efficiency in our homes, businesses, industry, and transportation sectors. The Scorecard examines six state energy efficiency policy areas and presents these results in six chapters (1) utility and public benefits programs and policies; (2) transportation policies; (3) building energy codes; (4) combined heat and power; (5) state government initiatives; and (6) appliance efficiency standards. States can earn up to 50 possible points in these six policy areas combined, with the maximum possible points in each area weighted by the magnitude of its potential energy savings impact. Low-income weatherization assistance program announcement receives larger than expected response Monday’s announcement of the Green Impact Zone Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program launch has generated more than 1,000 inquiries in less than 48 hours. The announcement was made at a press conference by U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II (Fifth District — Missouri) and Kelvin Simmons, commissioner of the Missouri Office of Administration. Staff members are working diligently to respond to all inquiries, as the program contractor, Zimmer Energy Solutions, gets the program up and running. We ask interested parties to be patient. Interested persons should be sure that they meet the basic criteria for the program. Eligible applicants must reside in or adjacent to the Green Impact Zone (see map), as well as meet certain income requirements. The Green Impact Zone is an area in the urban core from 39th to 51st streets, and Troost to Prospect and Swope Parkway. Full program details are available at www.greenimpactzone.org/energy. The Mid-America Regional Council received $4.5 million in federal stimulus funds from the Department of Energy and Missouri Department of Natural Resources to weatherize homes in the Green Impact Zone and the surrounding area. Under the program, 659 homes will be weatherized, which will lower residents’ utility usage and help the environment. Those who do not meet the residency requirements may still be eligible for weatherization assistance through the city of Kansas City, MO's, weatherization program. The Kansas City program is open to residents of Kansas City, MO in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties who meet income guidelines. Call the Kansas City Housing and Community Development Department at 816/513-3025 or visit www.kcmo.org/CKCMO/Depts/Housing/HomeWeatherizationProgram for details. The Green Impact Zone initiative, which uses federal stimulus funds and innovative partnerships to transform these distressed neighborhoods into a sustainable community, has received national attention as a model for place-based strategies to improve the quality of life in declining neighborhoods. For more information on the Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program, visit www.greenimpactzone.org/energy or contact Michelle Martin, Green Impact Zone LIWAP Senior Program Coordinator at 816/701-8268 or mmartin@marc.org. MARC CONTACTS: NEW MOTION PICTURE ON GLOBAL WARMING TO SCREEN IN KC A new movie, Cool It, will be screened at the Broadway Screening Room 1619 Broadway at 49th Street, 5th Floor.
EPA Honors Three Universities for Significant Energy Savings DOE Halts Sales of Inefficient Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners The Department of Energy (DOE) has ordered three manufacturers to stop distributing 61 models of heat pumps and one air conditioner model that do not comply with federal energy conservation standards. On June 3, DOE ordered Aspen Manufacturing, Inc.; Summit Manufacturing; and Advanced Distributor Products to halt the distribution of the noncompliant models and to notify all previous buyers of the noncompliant models. If the companies fail to respond or to notify their customers, DOE will seek a judicial order to prevent the sale of the noncompliant models. Under federal law, manufacturers of certain products covered by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act must certify with DOE that their models meet the applicable minimum energy conservation standards. Based on certification information submitted to DOE, the agency discovered that Aspen Manufacturing had certified 58 heat pumps models and one air conditioner model that failed to meet federal energy efficiency standards by up to 7%. DOE also found one heat pump model manufactured by Summit Manufacturing that failed the energy use standards by about 16%, as well as two heat pump models manufactured by Advanced Distributor Products that missed the standard by 1%-2%. See the DOE press release and the Web site for DOE's Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards Program. Missouri General Assembly Pass Bipartisan Energy Bill Jefferson City, MO -- The Missouri General passed a bipartisan efficiency and renewable energy bill that will create in-state jobs and reduce energy bills on Friday, May 14th. The policy, called PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy), is state-enabling legislation that allows cities and counties to opt into a program that pays for up to 100% of the upfront costs of renewable energy and energy efficiency renovations for homes and businesses. Homeowners repay project costs gradually through a special assessment attached to their property taxes. The bill requires the financial savings to outweigh the special assessment on an annual basis, yielding projects that are cashflow-positive from the get-go. Upon sale of a home, the special assessment and energy savings are passed on to next owner. By spreading out the payments over time, the energy savings gained each month on electric bills make the upgrades cost-effective from day one. PACE passed by a vote of 144-11 in the House this Friday, May
14th, as part of House Bill 1692. "There are 2 million existing homes in Missouri, all of which are prime candidates for efficiency upgrades. Updating these homes will require the work of thousands of energy auditors and insulation, window, and HVAC installers. PACE helps homeowners acquire up-front financing for these projects, and will put Missourians back to work,” says Byron DeLear, chair of the Missouri Association of Accredited Energy Professionals (MAAEP). MAAEP represents over a hundred efficiency businesses across Missouri. PACE efficiency or renewable energy upgrades lower your electric bills and increase your home’s value. Homes with efficiency upgrades spend fewer days on the market and sell for a higher percentage of the listing price,” says Matt Belcher chairman of the Green Building Council of the St. Louis Home Builder's Association. Dane Glueck, owner of Straight Up Solar and President of the Missouri Solar Energy Industries Association (MOSEIA), says “We hope that PACE will allow a whole new segment of the Missouri market to install solar panels on their property, and we’re ready for them. Whereas a few years ago we had less than 5 installers across the state, today there are at least 22 firms in Missouri equipped to size and install solar electric systems.” In Missouri, PACE has widespread support from a broad coalition of groups including Kansas City Power and Light, The Council for the Municipal League, Missouri Public Utilities Alliance, Missouri Energy Development Association, and various renewable energy and efficiency advocacy groups. Several cities, including St. Louis, St Louis County, Kansas City, Ferguson, and Creve Coeur have also expressed interest in creating a PACE program. 18 states have already passed legislation allowing cities to pursue PACE programs since 2007, and Missouri is one of nine states working to do so this year. Renew Missouri, a project of the Missouri Coalition for the Environment a 501(c3) non-profit, has worked since 2007 to advance renewable energy and energy efficiency in Missouri. Read more at www.RenewMO.org. Future Energy - PACE Legislation in Missouri On Tuesday, April 6, a Missouri Senate committee passed an energy efficiency bill. This bill has also been voted out of the House. The proposed law, called PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy), would allow municipalities to opt into a program that finances the costs of renewable energy and energy efficiency renovations for homes and businesses. Projects could range from large solar power systems to utility lines to biomass facilities to weatherization of homes. The PACE program enables local governments to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through the issuance of bonds or by structuring other sources of capital. Municipalities are familiar with these types of special taxing districts in the form of neighborhood improvement districts. Armstrong Teasdale has worked extensively with municipal financing districts (also known as "special tax" or "special assessment" districts) since their inception. Although the publicly created PACE fund advances the project costs, participating property owners (programs would be voluntary) repay these amounts through a special property tax assessment, typically over a term of 20 years. The PACE financing structure combined with potential federal and state tax incentives and utility rebates can make renewable energy and energy efficiency renovations affordable and cost effective for individuals and businesses. If the property is sold before the end of the repayment period, the new owner inherits both the remaining repayment obligation and the financed energy improvements. The reliable stream of assessment payments can support bond issuances, enabling projects that are larger than municipalities might otherwise be able to support. Although PACE legislation has been adopted in 19 states, it is only now being implemented in those states. Supporters argue that this renewable energy law will help jump start Missouri’s economy, create in-state jobs, and reduce the energy costs of Missouri taxpayers. Armstrong Teasdale’s Future Energy Group is monitoring the progress of this proposed legislation and will report any significant developments. The Future Energy Group stands ready to provide advice and guidance to:
Missouri Sales Tax Holiday and Rebate Program on Energy Star Qualified Appliances Show-Me
Green Sales Tax Holiday on Energy Star Appliances The following Energy Star rated appliances qualify for the sales tax exemption:
Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate Program Energy Star appliances included in the following product categories are eligible for the Rebate Program:
For more information, please contact one of the following attorneys in the Armstrong Teasdale Tax Department: Daniel
J. Cooper / 314-259-4715 Scott
E. Hunt / 314-342-4145 Robert
L. Jackson / 314-342-8076 Larry
M. Sewell / 314-342-8020 John
E. Dooling, Jr. / 314-259-4743 Joseph
D. Demko / 314-342-4143 Guy
Schmitz / 314-259-4738 Christopher
J. Anderson / 816-472-3117 Jonathan
W. Igoe / 314-342-8019 Jill
M. Palmquist / 314-552-6635 KCP&L PARTNERS WITH THE CITY OF ST. JOSEPH ON LANDFILL GAS-TO-ENERGY (LFG) PROJECT New plant will transform methane gas into a revenue-producing asset for the city St. Joseph, Mo. (March 8, 2010) – The city of St. Joseph has selected KCP&L to build a methane gas gathering system and construct and operate a power generation facility at the city’s 90-acre landfill. As part of a memorandum of understanding, the City of St. Joseph will provide the operations of the methane gas collection system. KCP&L will underwrite the cost of the plant, which will convert the captured methane gas provided by the City of St. Joseph into enough electricity to power nearly 1,000 homes per year annually. “Green house gases are a worldwide concern. This project will provide the dual benefit of collecting and destroying methane gas and producing revenue to help keep the gate fee at the St. Joseph landfill the lowest in the state. The city is pleased to be working with our local energy provider to develop this project and put clean energy back into the local electric grid,” said J. Bruce Woody, P.E., Director of Public Works. “This project will expand the current collection system of twelve wells, and is yet another way that this regional landfill is protecting the environment through its many environmental protection programs.” “We salute the city of St. Joseph for its forward-thinking decision to turn a landfill into a green asset and we look forward to working with them on this project,” said Matt Dority, KCP&L North District Manager. “We’re delighted to have this opportunity to offer additional renewable electricity generation to our customers in the region. The project supports our commitment to partner with the communities we serve and to supply and deliver electricity and energy solutions that meet our customers' needs and enhance their quality of life. It is one of a number of innovative renewable projects we are looking at as a company over the next several years.” The St. Joseph, Mo. Landfill Gas-to-Energy (LFG) project will include 49 new wells at the existing landfill that condense and collect the methane gas; a blower that cools the gas; a Caterpillar 1.6 MW turbine reciprocating engine / generator that will convert the gas to electricity distributed through KCP&L’s grid; and measurement, verification and marketing of greenhouse gas (carbon) credits. KCP&L is working with Burns & McDonnell to design and construct the facility. Once the final contract is signed, the project is scheduled to take a year to complete. The company expects the new plant to produce power by early 2011. Monitor your energy use outlet by outlet(Courtesy of EERE Program News)The race is on for companies to develop an affordable home energy device that monitors energy usage and prices via the Internet or cell phone. Some of the less expensive models are expected to debut next month in honor of Earth Day, according to the New York Times. Technological advances and an increasing consumer energy consciousness are driving manufacturers to deploy these innovative devices either directly to consumers or through their local utilities.
While monitoring devices showing energy use by specific appliance or thermostat have been sold for some time for as little as $20, more sophisticated, detailed energy monitoring units are debuting in the market that show overall home energy use. For example, industry experts expect Tenrehte Technologies’ Picowatt to debut at major retailers on Earth Day for around $80. Other devices have been around awhile, including Energy, Inc.’s TED (The Energy Device), which retails for about $140 (video) and Current State, which allows for energy use monitoring via a cell phone. It also includes a series of plug-ends that plug into your electrical devices to show how much energy is being used. It’s a gamble for these manufacturers, though, since utilities have been offering similar devices—Smart Grid devices that are tied to the grid and display the cost of electricity during peak hours but that so far have a limited following. President Obama committed to help utilities install 40 million more of these smart meters to encourage consumers to shift energy consumption to the time of day when power is cheapest. For a description of some of the prototypes and already available products, see articles on the subject from Inhabitat and in smartgridnews. Ten Energy-Saving Ideas (That You Might Not Have Thought About)This article previously appeared in the KCP&L Energy Talk newsletter, and is used with permission.Key Points
With rising energy costs and increasing environmental concerns, there is no shortage of information available to help facility managers become more energy efficient. Strategies such as heating and cooling system upgrades and energy-efficient lighting are widely known and implemented. However, there are many useful energy-saving ideas that often receive little attention. Below are 10 ideas that you may not have considered. While many of them may require some upfront investment in time and money, they can have a significant long-term impact on your energy costs. To lower cooling costs, install a reflective coating on the roof. White or reflective roofing reflects heat and helps keep buildings cool. This can lead to significant energy savings, depending on climate, the number of stories, and the ratio of the roof area to the overall building envelope area. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label or Cool Roof Rating Council on roofing products. Reduce solar heat gain. Install shades and awnings in the south- and west-facing windows. Add reflective solar films to windows. This can significantly cut down on cooling needs and will have the added benefit of reducing ultraviolet radiation. Instruct staff to close shades or other window treatments during summer months to reduce heat gain. See "Be Selective When Blocking Solar Heat Gain." Use variable frequency drives (VFDs) on air-handling units. Building areas such as offices and administrative areas often have little or no occupancy during evening hours and on weekends. A VFD can be used to reduce airflow (and the kilowatt hours needed to drive the air) by up to 80%. This can result in significant energy savings for up to 12 hours a day during the week and 48 hours over the weekend. See "Fresh Ideas for Improving Ventilations System Efficiency." Install skylights. Skylights equipped with photo sensors and lighting controls can cut energy use in commercial buildings by reducing the use of electric lighting whenever sufficient daylight is present. In one example, a grocery store used skylights and photocells to reduce lighting energy use by 30% during a monitored two-week period. Design your landscape for energy efficiency. A well-designed landscape can reduce cooling costs by 15% to 50% and heating bills by 25% to 40%, according to U.S. EPA statistics. For example, evergreen trees located on the west and northwest sides of a property relieve air conditioning costs by blocking the powerful rays of the setting summer sun and reduce heating costs by protecting the building from harsh winds in the colder months. Likewise, deciduous trees on the east and south sides of a property provide cool shade in the summer, but warm sunlight is able to penetrate the trees’ branches when they drop their leaves in the winter. See "Landscape Irrigation: Water Conservation Strategies." Install an energy recovery ventilation system. Energy recovery ventilation systems provide a controlled way of ventilating a building while minimizing energy loss. They reduce the cost of heating ventilated air in the winter by transferring heat from the warm inside air that is being exhausted, to the fresh (but cold) supply air. In the summer, the inside air cools the warmer supply air to reduce ventilation cooling costs. Most energy recovery ventilation systems can recover about 70% to 80% of the energy in the exiting air and deliver that energy to the incoming air. They are most cost effective, however, in climates with extreme winters or summers and where fuel costs are high. See "Energy Recovery in Commercial and Institutional Buildings." Network printers. Many office buildings are loaded with multiple printers that consume a surprising amount of energy. According to U.S. Department of Energy estimates, the average printer uses nearly 400 kWh of energy per year, or about $40 in annual energy costs. A building with a printer in each office could be wasting hundreds of dollars. Since printers use energy even when they are not printing, sharing printers among multiple employees is a great way to save energy, cut down on equipment costs, and discourage paper waste. See "Saving Energy Around the Office." Install air curtains in open or frequently opened doorways. Air curtains save energy by keeping temperatures controlled inside, while keeping the heat or cold on the outside from coming in. Air curtains also prevent insects, dust, and odors from penetrating the building. They are typically available in a number of sizes and strengths. Traditionally used in large warehouses, air curtains can also be used in coolers and freezers, delivery doors, store entrances, drive-up windows, and many more applications. See "Justifying Air Doors/Air Curtains." Install LED exit signs. Facilities managers seeking ways to cut down on energy costs often overlook exit signs. Exit lighting is required by law in most commercial and institutional buildings and must operate continuously. Significant savings can be achieved by using energy-efficient lighting technology, such as light-emitting diode (LED) lamps. The LED is rapidly becoming the standard in exit lighting due to its high-energy efficiency and long life (20 to 50 years). It has the highest initial cost, but requires little maintenance. Overall, LED lamps can save nearly 90% in total operating costs compared to traditional incandescent lighting. See "Energy-Efficient Exit Lighting." Use laundry equipment controls. Many commercial and institutional facilities, such as lodging, hospitals, and restaurants, have laundry rooms. Laundry rooms must be air conditioned to ensure worker comfort and safety. Laundry room equipment, such as steam tables, however, generates heat that can dramatically increase cooling loads. Consider installing an electrical actuated steam valve and mechanical timer on your steam table. This will ensure that the equipment operates only when in use, and will help to lower air conditioning costs. See "Laundry Operations: Reducing Your Energy Load." Nearly 70% of your trash can be recycled, yet the majority of discarded waste continues to be hauled away to landfills each year. While you may believe that the material you throw away will quickly decompose in the landfill, there are many factors that affect the decomposition rate of various materials, including oxygen levels, temperature, and the presence of water. Water is a natural aid for decomposition, but many landfills are hermetically sealed with plastic to keep water out. Therefore, much of this waste can take several years to decompose (if it ever does decompose), which results in the increasing need for the creation of new landfills—costing up to $10 million each to build, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A viable solution is to decrease the amount of waste that actually makes it to the landfill in the first place. How Long Do You Think It Takes? If you think that your waste quickly decomposes after it is hauled off to the dump, take a moment to match the list of discarded items below with the potential decomposition times. Then, read on to see just how long it might really take for these items to decompose in the landfill.
Newspaper—2 to 4 Weeks If you have ever picked up a sopping wet newspaper from the driveway after a rain storm, you may have guessed that newspapers decompose rather quickly when wet. Due to the fact that measures are taken in the majority of landfills to reduce the presence of water, decomposition time is substantially increased. Cardboard—2 Months While two months may not seem like a long time, there are several ways to prolong the lifecycle of cardboard, rather than simply throwing it away. Get the most out of your cardboard by reusing boxes for storage or moving projects. Cardboard can be composted and corrugated cardboard (moving boxes) can be recycled. Cotton Fabric—5 Months Rather than throwing away cotton items, donate gently used clothing, towels, or sheets to charity. Cotton fabrics can also make a great addition to your compost pile. Cigarette Butt—2 to 5 Years At first glance, it may appear that cigarettes would decompose rather quickly. The composition of a cigarette is actually very complex—containing almost 600 ingredients. One of these ingredients, cellulose acetate (a plastic), is found in 95% of cigarette filters and is difficult to decompose. Wooden Furniture—13 Years Yes, wood is natural and biodegradable, but under the conditions created in landfills, wood takes longer to decompose—13 years for a standard wooden chair. Painted wood increases the decomposition time, and can cause additional harm to the environment due to the added chemicals. Proper disposal of wood can also be beneficial to your bottom line, as it is typically much more costly to send wood products to landfills rather than processing facilities. Businesses can typically expect to pay approximately one-third less for processing than the landfill disposal fee, and some states offer free processing programs for clean wood. Tin Can—80 to 100 Years These days, tin cans are actually made of several materials, including iron ore and tin, which are non-renewable resources. Cans are usually tin-plated steel with the rest being made of mostly aluminum. It takes millions of years for these materials to naturally form, so simply throwing them away is definitely a waste. Unlike 100% aluminum beverage cans, the recycling process for tin cans is a little complex, so they are not always accepted by recycling companies. Plastic Grocery Bag—500 to 1,000 Years While some new plastic bags are designed to photo-degrade, due to landfill conditions (being buried under tons of other trash and dirt), most plastic bags are not exposed to sunlight that would aid in the decomposition process. Typically, plastic grocery bags are made from high-density polyethylene, or HDPE (#2 plastic) or low-density polyethylene, or LDPE (#4 plastic). Both materials are derived from refined petroleum, which takes a while to decompose, but can be recycled. To reduce plastic bag waste, try using reusable fabric shopping bags or see if your grocer has a bag recycling program. Aluminum Can—200 to 500 Years Rather than throwing cans away, just to have them sit in the landfill for hundreds of years, why not recycle them for a much quicker turn around? It only takes six weeks to make a new can from a recycled can. Plastic Bottle—450 Years Plastic bottles contain polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is made of petroleum. This material is extremely difficult to break down, especially in an environment such as a landfill. According to the Beverage Marketing Corp, the average American consumed 1.6 gallons of bottled water in 1976, which increased to 28.3 gallons in 2006. Use reusable beverage containers to cut down on waste. Styrofoam Cup—Never While some scientists have argued that the material can decompose in a landfill in 1 million years, the majority agree that the number is simply unknown. Styrofoam®, also known as expanded polystyrene (EPS), probably never decomposes. Studies have shown that polystyrene makes up approximately 1% of the weight in landfills. Due to the light weight of the material, it can be determined that the material makes up a large portion of landfill waste. For a simple solution, use reusable drinking cups. Take Action Now that you have learned the decomposition rate for commonly-used items, you can take the necessary steps to reduce your negative environmental impact by purchasing recycled goods, and recycling them after use. Considering the rate of decomposition prior to purchase is also one of the best ways to reduce waste. Record Cold Temperatures Equal Higher Bills? Bitter cold in December and January has increased the amount of gas used to heat homes and businesses. As a result, customers throughout the Midwest are expecting higher than normal gas bills. But maybe not. There is good news. Despite increased natural gas usage due to recent frigid weather, MGE customers are actually paying 26 percent less for natural gas now than at this time last winter. In fact, the cost of natural gas (COG) for MGE customers now ($0.69754) is the lowest wintertime COG for MGE in seven years. Th e COG typically makes up approximately 70 percent of a residential customer’s bill during the heating season. MGE purchases natural gas on behalf of its customers and does not earn a profi t on the price of gas; only on its delivery. Whether or not your bill is higher this winter due to colder weather and increased use, as an MGE customer you can take comfort in knowing that the price for a unit of gas (COG) paid to heat your home or business is lower this winter, which means more money in your pocket during these hard economic times. Residential customers, there is more good news! This is the third consecutive winter that MGE customers are seeing the benefit of a fixed monthly delivery charge, thanks to an innovative rate design approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission in 2007. Prior to April 2007, MGE charged its residential customers a fixed monthly customer charge plus a per-unit delivery charge, in addition to the cost of gas referenced above. That meant residential customers were paying an additional delivery charge for each unit of gas delivered. Today, MGE residential customers pay only a fixed monthly delivery charge, without an additional per-unit delivery charge, plus the COG. So what can you do? MGE encourages customers to enjoy the benefits of natural gas and to do so with high efficiency natural gas appliances. For more information on MGE’s high efficiency appliance incentive programs and the Home Performance with Energy Star program for home improvements, visit www.betterheatingnow.com and www.hpwes.net. Energize Missouri - Appliance Rebate Program The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Energy Center will receive $5,672,000 million in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Energy to help citizens purchase energy-efficient appliances. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provided the funding to the U.S. Department of Energy to establish state ENERGY STAR appliance rebate programs. The Department of Natural Resources plans to launch the program April 19, 2010, to run concurrently with the “Show Me Green ENERGY STAR Sales Tax Holiday. Each state and U.S territory was allowed to design its own unique rebate program and select eligible products and rebate amounts. Missouri’s plan outlines which ENERGY STAR appliances will be included in the program, rebate levels for each product, how rebates will be processed and a recycling plan for old appliances. The Energize Missouri Appliance Rebates program will help Missourians buy appliances at lower costs, reduce home utility expenses, and benefit Missouri businesses by stimulating sales of energy efficient appliances. The department will issue rebates for the following items that are ENERGY STAR qualified. Purchases of these ENERGY STAR qualified appliances and equipment prior to the start of the program in Missouri will not be eligible for rebates. After commencement of the program, rebates will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until all rebate funding is depleted. Eligible appliances include:
Now that the U.S. DOE has approved Missouri’s program plan, the state will select a contractor to manage and implement the program. A consumer information line and eligibility criteria will be established and announced once the implementation contractor has been selected. Missouri residents should also check with their utility providers for other rebates that may be available for energy efficient equipment and appliances. Many utility companies offer rebates for purchasing energy efficient home appliances and equipment. When other utility rebates or incentives exist, the addition of the new Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate will increase the total amount a Missouri household may receive for replacing their qualified appliances or systems. In areas of the state where utility-based rebates are not offered, the Energize Missouri Appliance Rebate will stand alone. Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Energy Center
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