News Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens told Congress Tuesday that the government must act quickly to curb the nation's dependence on foreign oil. "Our country is in a deep hole and it's time to stop digging," said Pickens, founder and principal of BP Capital, in testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. "We have walked into a trap and we are the ones that put ourselves there," he said. "I'm not pointing the finger at anybody because it isn't going to help, but we have to work together to get out of it." Earlier this month, Pickens unveiled a plan to curb America's dependence on foreign oil through increased investment in domestic renewable resources such as wind, and through use of natural gas as an alternative transportation fuel. Pickens said his plan would reduce the nation's dependency on foreign oil by 38%. Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., the committee's chairman, praised Pickens' plan, calling it a "classically American message of can-do optimism." "The high price of gas today is literally wounding America and causing the American economy to stagger," Lieberman said. "I'm spoiling for some bold T. Boone Pickens-like action," he added. When celebrities such as oil man T. Boone Pickens start talking about wind power as the nation's energy future, people start listening. See Pickens himself talking about it (Pickens Plan Video). The Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted this month to invest $4.9 billion to build new electricity transmission lines from the windy plains of West Texas to urban areas in the central and eastern parts of the state. The new transmission lines will be capable of moving enough electricity to power more than 4 million homes. Supporters believe the project will spur new wind farms, create jobs and reduce pollution. Texas already leads the nation in wind power, generating about 5,000 megawatts annually. This, added to oilman T. Boone Pickens' recent embrace of wind power development , exemplifies the big-money commitments that are now starting to flow into expansion of U.S. wind power. Analysts: Gas glut to force winter prices down From Gas Daily, 8-12-08. Shale gas production will soon have the US swimming in natural gas, two major energy analysts said Monday, predicting that without a hurricane or extreme cold, gas prices will dip below $8/Mcf this winter. Merrill Lynch's Francisco Blanch and Raymond James' Marshall Adkins both produced notes Monday that said the phenomenal growth in US gas production will eliminate the need for liquefied natural gas and limit the amount of Canadian gas piped south of the border. Adkins said his survey of publicly reporting gas companies shows a 6.7% increase, year-over-year, in gas production. "US gas supply is climbing by leaps and bounds," Adkins said. "Given that independent producers are expecting even higher gas production growth rates (15%-plus, on average) in 2008 than the 13.2% growth rate seen in the second quarter of 2008, it is very possible that year-over-year growth in US gas supply, in the aggregate, will come in above 5 Bcfld this summer." "Texas production is expanding at a rate of 2 Bcfld on the back of a 13% quarter-on-quarter increase in production in the Barnett Shale," Blanch noted. "Some of the new shale projects are even more impressive. Haynesville, a project that was not very well known only a few months ago, is now thought to be the largest gas shale deposit in the United States. Accounting for all five major shale plays, we now estimate that incremental domestic production growth could hit 1.9 Bcfld next year." The normally bullish Adkins has been banging the unfamiliar bear drum for several months, saying as far back as April that gas prices will stay in the $8/Mcf to $1 O/Mcf range for most of the year until breaking below $7/Mcf in the last quarter of this year (GO 4/8). Adkins did not change his forecast Monday. Merrill Lynch's Blanch trimmed his gas price forecasts slightly to $9.80/Mcf in the third quarter and $1 0.50/Mcf in the fourth quarter. Blanch also produced his first forecast of 2009 prices, saying US gas would average $9/Mcf next year. Heating oil is no longer the floor for natural gas prices, Blanch said. Coal, which has grown more expensive as international demand has grown, now sets the limits on how far gas prices will fall (GO 8/11). But coal's support is not foolproof, Blanch noted. A July 11 federal appeals court decision invalidating the Environmental Protection Agency's clean air interstate rule (CAIR) has eviscerated the market for sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxide offsets, making coal even cheaper relative to gas and removing incentives to clean up emissions. "If polluters faced high emissions prices, the shift out of coal-fired generation would occur at an even faster pace as the gas-to-coal spread narrowed," Blanch explained. "But given the latest regulatory decision, SOx prices have collapsed, making coal more attractive again. So far, only two utilities have spoken about increased gas-fired generation at the expense of coal-fired generation, and the lower cost for high polluters will do little to encourage more natural gas-fueled electricity." - Bill Holland ACEEE Busts Energy Efficiency Myths Washington, D.C. (August 14, 2008): The average person today is inundated with messages about saving energy. Unfortunately too many messages perpetuate long-standing myths, making it difficult to sort out good advice from bad. ACEEE has compiled a list of myth-busters to help separate energy savings fact from energy wasting fiction. MYTHBUSTING FACT #1: Turning off lights, even for short periods of time, really saves energy, with little impact on the lifespan of the bulb. Turn off the lights even when you're leaving a room for just a few minutes. MYTHBUSTING FACT #2: Today's compact fluorescent lightbulbs work just as well as incandescents, and are just as safe. CFLs have come a long way in terms of quality and variety, and use a fraction of the energy of incandescent bulbs. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to ensure high quality bulbs, and try out different color varieties to find the one you like best ("soft white" most closely mimics the color of an incandescent). As for safety, even if a bulb breaks in your house authorities suggest that there is not enough mercury in the bulb to present a substantial health hazard. That being said, efforts should be taken to dispose of CFLs properly. MYTHBUSTING FACT #3: Don't spend time warming up the car when it's cold outside. While it is best to avoid stressing the car while the engine is cold, simply drive a bit more "gently" for the first few minutes. Also, idling a modern car always wastes more energy than turning it off (even for short periods of time). MYTHBUSTING FACT #4: Turn down the thermostat while you're away from the house for the day. If you are out for a good stretch of time (say 8 hours or so), this temperature "set-back" will save more energy than it will take to bring your home back to the desired temperature. (Note: If you have a heat pump, make sure you have a heat pump thermostat that has been properly programmed.) MYTHBUSTING FACT #5: Don't forget the simple maintenance needed to keep your heating and air-conditioning systems running efficiently. Change the air filter regularly (once a month during heating and cooling season) and get a "tune-up" by a contractor every 2 to 3 years. MYTHBUSTING FACT #6: While heating and air-conditioning equipment is much more efficient than it used to be, there are still significant variations in energy use. The most important decision is which contractor to choose, so the equipment will be the right size and installed properly, and the ductwork will be fixed so that it doesn't leak a quarter of the energy you buy (the US average)! Qualified contractors will ask about comfort issues, run a real load calculation program so they won't need to sell oversized equipment, and discuss options with you. Premium equipment offers even better efficiency, and features such as quieter operation and better humidity control. MYTHBUSTING FACT #7: Refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers on the market today are much more efficient than those available ten or twenty years ago, but there are still significant differences in energy use among models. For example, side-by-side refrigerator/freezers generally use more energy than freezer-on-top models. Features such as icemakers also use extra energy. Most front-loading clothes washers save significant amounts of energy and water compared to conventional top-loading designs. On the other hand, products like stoves vary relatively little in their inherent efficiency. MYTHBUSTING FACT #8: The best way to save energy for your computer is to turn it off when you're not using it. The second best way is to set it to automatically go into "sleep" or "hibernate" mode to save energy. Also, make sure the next computer you purchase has an ENERGY STAR label. Contrary to popular belief, using a screensaver saves no energy. MYTHBUSTING FACT #9: Energy-efficient windows save energy, but a window replacement is unlikely to pay for itself in energy savings alone. If you need to replace your windows for other reasons, the premium you'll pay for high performance windows (ENERGY STAR or better) is generally worth the investment. And like so many other major energy efficiency projects, much of the energy savings depends on the quality of the contractor you hire to do the work. Bad installations can not only leak and cause drafts, but can also lead to major moisture damage. MYTHBUSTING FACT #10: While energy-efficient windows are a step in the right direction, walls always outperform windows. Be careful not to choose oversized windows, and take extra steps to increase the performance of windows, such as shading for western- and southern-facing windows. About ACEEE: The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, contact ACEEE, 529 14th Street N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20045 or visit www.aceee.org. email: ace3news@aceee.org phone: 202-507-4000 New Missouri law gives tax break for appliancesThe Associated Press - JEFFERSON CITY | Attention Missouri shoppers: There will be a sale on appliances.Gov. Matt Blunt signed legislation Thursday creating a one-week tax exemption on energy efficient items such as refrigerators, washers and dryers, air conditioners and furnaces. The Show-Me Green Sales Tax Holiday will run from April 19 through April 25 each year. The first $1,500 of Energy Star certified new appliances will be exempt from the state sales tax. Blunt says Missouri is just the fourth state to enact such a tax break, following Connecticut, Florida and Virginia. The legislation also allows income tax deductions of up to $1,000 for home energy audits and the implementation of their recommendations. Home Depot Offers Recycling for Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Energy Tax Extenders Bill Fails in Senate The Senate this week failed to garner a sufficient number of votes to proceed to consider H.R. 6049, an energy tax bill that that included extensions of the renewable energy tax credits. Despite this setback, Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, indicated that he would continue to “work hard” to get extenders done as soon as possible and that “they would get done this year.” The issue is controversial because a large number of House Democratic Members are adamant that any tax extenders bill be “paid for” using offsetting tax provisions. Senate Republicans, however, are equally adamant that no offsets be used to extend existing tax provisions. It appears that unless and until Sen. Baucus and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rangel (D-NY) can find a way to resolve the impasse between Senate Republicans and this group of House Democrats, resolution of this issue looks likely later than sooner. For more information, contact Paul Kerkhoven at (202) 824/7363 or pkerkhoven@ngvamerica.org Missouri Legislature Passes SB 1181 Promoting Efficiency and Green Programs Article courtesy of Concerned Citizens of Platte County, Inc. News 70 bills passed on the last day of session in Missouri. One of them was SB 1181 – Upon the Governor’s signature, the bill will become law. This bill changes the laws regarding environmental regulation and energy efficiency and conservation procedures. In its main provisions, the bill accomplishes the following: 1. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to establish minimum energy efficiency standards for state buildings based on the 2006 International Energy conservation Code. State buildings must meet the new standards on or after July 1, 2009. 2. Allows low-interest loans through the Linked Deposit Loan Program for eligible alternative energy operation producing and selling fuel or power from alternative energy sources including solar, hydroelectric, wind, and qualified biomass. 3. Authorizes an income tax deduction administered by the department for the cost of home energy audits and implementing audit recommendations. 4. Establishes the Show Me Green Sales Tax Holiday annually beginning in 2009. Energy Star certified appliances will be exempt from state sales tax from April 19th through April 26th. Political subdivisions may opt in at their discretion. 5. Establishes, subject to appropriations, professorships in energy efficiency at public state universities. 6. Creates minimum energy standards for certain appliances and goods sold in the state. The Department of Natural Resources and the Office of the Attorney General may prevent the sale of certain products that do not meet Energy Star certification requirements or that do no meet minimum energy standards established in federal law. To read all of the bill, go to: http://www.senate.mo.gov/08info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=144166 Kansas City Habitat For Humanity to Show LEED Home on Tour Kansas City Habitat For Humanity has announced that it will have a LEED standard home at 3635 Highland on the 2008 Parade of Homes tour. This new home is being fully sponsored by KC ReStore and incorporates many energy star, sustainable practices which will make this an efficient structure for the new Habitat family to create a home. Here are some features of Habitat homes we are building and some specifics on the home at 3635 Highland Standard quality features on all Habitat KC homes include:
Many Universal Design features including:
For 2008, all Habitat KC homes will be Energy Star rated with the following standard features:
This particular house (3635 Highland) is also L.E.E.D (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified, which includes the following:
Please stop by and see us during the Parade. The Spring Homes Tour Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Daily May 4 thru May 18. Extension of Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Incentives Moving in Congress Courtesy of RESNET E-News - On Thursday, April 10, 2008, the U.S. Senate passed the housing stimulus bill. Senate majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) incorporated the provisions of the extension for energy efficiency tax incentives contained in the legislation proposed by Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and John Ensign (R-NV). The provisions adopted by the Senate includes :
The fate of this legislation is uncertain in the House. The House Democratic leadership has concerns over the consumer coverage of the Senate's provision for housing stimulus and continues to demand that the extension of energy tax incentives be offset in reductions to the oil tax incentives provided in the 2005 Energy Policy Act. The prospects, however, remain promising since there is no significant opposition to the energy efficiency and renewable tax incentive extensions. Kansas City Power & Light Announces Its Endorsement of Missouri Renewable Energy Ballot Initiative KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), a subsidiary of Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP), announced today that it is endorsing the effort by Missourians for Cleaner Cheaper Energy to put a renewable energy initiative proposal on the public ballot for the November 2008 election. The ballot initiative -- which would require obtaining more than 90,000 voter signatures on a petition by May 4, 2008 -- would require that investor-owned electric utilities generate or purchase electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and hydropower equaling at least two percent of retail sales by 2011. That requirement would increase incrementally to at least 15 percent by 2021, including at least two percent from solar energy. The initiative also protects utilities and consumers by ensuring that cost of compliance and associated rate impact is limited to 1%. "Our endorsement of the renewable energy initiative proposal underscores our continuing commitment to achieving regional sustainability by supporting investments in clean energy sources," said Michael Chesser, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Great Plains Energy. "A strong renewable energy policy benefits our customers by reducing costs and stimulating the growth of the renewable energy industry locally. Policies such as this, coupled with tax credits for construction of new renewable electricity generation, benefit consumers as the sources of electricity are diversified and renewable electricity generation costs are low." Through the implementation of its Comprehensive Energy Plan, KCP&L has committed to clean, renewable energy sources. KCP&L owns and operates a 100-megawatt wind energy facility in Spearville, Kansas. KCP&L has signed a landmark agreement with the Sierra Club to pursue adding 400 megawatts of wind by 2012, subject to regulatory approval. This commitment will get us close to the standard set in the proposed initiative petition. In addition, KCP&L is committed to pursue a 300-megawatt reduction in energy demand by 2012 by partnering with customers to implement cost-effective efficiency programs. "Working with our customers and the communities we serve is the hallmark of who we are at KCP&L," said Chesser. "Giving Missourians the opportunity to voice their opinion on renewable energy is consistent with that philosophy." "Sierra Club’s vision for a sustainable new energy future for Missouri integrates energy efficiency, energy conservation, and the development of clean and reliable renewable energy sources to meet our future energy demand and address global warming," said Melissa Hope, Missouri Development Director of Sierra Club. "Mandatory renewable energy standards (RES) are needed to propel Missouri toward that new, clean energy future. By endorsing the RES initiative, KCPL continues to distinguish itself as a leader in the region on transitioning Missouri to a low-carbon energy economy, one that will ensure economic prosperity and energy security, and provide family-supporting jobs and a healthy environment in Missouri for decades to come." P.J. Wilson, spokesman for Missourians for Cleaner Cheaper Energy, agrees. "This November, voters across the state will have the opportunity to determine the future of energy policy in Missouri," Wilson explained. "Passing this initiative will help guide Missouri down the path toward energy independence while producing thousands of new jobs to expand the state’s renewable energy industry." About KCP&L About Sierra Club About Missourians for Cleaner Cheaper Energy Contacts Sebelius Prevents and Reduces Pollutants
with Veto, Executive Order With federal regulation of greenhouse gases on the horizon, Governor Kathleen Sebelius is taking a proactive step to bring together business leaders, energy experts and scientists to recommend ways Kansas can reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. After vetoing a bill that would have allowed 11 million tons of greenhouse gases to be produced from two new coal-fired power plants, the governor signed Executive Order 08-03, which establishes the Kansas Energy and Environmental Policy Advisory Group. "We know that greenhouse gases contribute to climate change," Sebelius said. "As an agricultural state, Kansas is particularly vulnerable. Therefore, reducing pollutants benefits our state not only in the short term – but also for generations of Kansans to come." Sebelius has named Jack Pelton, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Cessna Aircraft Company, to lead this group. "I am so pleased that one of our most prominent business leaders has agreed to serve as chair," said Sebelius. "Jack understands the balance between continuing to grow our economy and making sure that we protect our environment and maximize our natural assets for future generations. "The Advisory Group will explore opportunities in all sectors of our economy to accomplish the goal of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions; and, at the same time, continue to take advantage of the economic prosperity provided by job growth throughout Kansas." In her State of the State Address this past January, Sebelius discussed the need for Kansas to join 36 other states in developing a state plan to deal with climate change. The Energy and Environmental Advisory Group will develop recommendations to the governor involving opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a recommended timetable for implementation. Other issues to be examined by this group include a study of the impact electrical production has on community economic development and the opportunities to diversify Kansas' energy portfolio. The process will be facilitated by the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS). Their work is supported by the Energy Foundation and the Sandler Family Supporting Foundation, which includes the Rockefeller Brothers Fund. CCS has developed climate action plans in: Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Washington, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Vermont. State plans are underway in South Carolina, Florida, Arkansas, Michigan, Maryland, and Alaska. To read the executive order in its entirety, please visit: http://www.governor.ks.gov/executive/Orders/default.htm Veto Message for House Substitute for Senate Bill 327 "Of all the duties and responsibilities entrusted to me as Governor, none is greater than my obligation to protect the health and well-being of the people of Kansas. And that is why I supported the decision of the Secretary of Kansas Department of Health and Environment regarding Kansas' energy future. For that reason, I must veto House Substitute for SB 327. "This decision not only preserves Kansans' health and upholds our moral obligation to be good stewards of this beautiful land, but will also enhance our prospects for strong and sustainable economic growth throughout our state. Instead of building two new coal plants, which would produce 11 million new tons of carbon dioxide each year, I support pursuing other, more promising energy and economic development alternatives. "With the increasing pressure for the federal government to develop national standards for carbon emissions, there is a high probability coal will become a lot more expensive in the next several years. Countries throughout Europe and South America already have standards in place and states are following suit. "Federal legislation has been introduced that would have the net impact of taxing carbon. If any of the proposals are adopted, utility companies and their customers will pay far more for energy which produces carbon. It will also require spending billions on equipment to clean the atmosphere as thoroughly as possible. Building additional coal plants now is likely to create a significant economic liability for Kansas in the future. "My environmental and financial concerns surrounding the massive new coal-fired power plants allowed under SB 327 have not changed throughout this process. "This bill goes well beyond this specific project by stripping emergency powers from the KDHE Secretary and prohibiting the consideration of any standards beyond the Clean Air Act. "It not only mandates 11 million tons of new carbon for power we don't need, but invites other coal plants to be sited in Kansas while eliminating any requirements to mitigate their environmental and health risks for our citizens. "I am encouraged that the legislature made a modest attempt to address some of our alternative energy assets, but this bill fails to promote our wind assets and sends the wrong signal to potential investors for transmission lines and additional wind power. "The new feature of net-metering does not include wind power, which could have served as a powerful incentive to individuals and communities to embrace our most abundant natural resource. "And, the renewable standard and timetable in this bill slows down the progress we have already made, and dilutes the voluntary agreement now in place with utility companies in Kansas. "This legislation proposes a committee to discuss electric generation. I believe we need a comprehensive discussion on energy policy, including but not limited to electric generation, which is why I am now issuing an Executive Order creating the Kansas Energy and Environmental Policy Advisory Group. "My offer of a compromise energy proposal, with additional base load power for Western Kansas, combined with mitigation strategies and additional wind power is once again extended, and I am hopeful that some serious consideration can now occur. "Pursuant to Article 2, Section 14 of the Constitution of the State of Kansas, I veto House Substitute for Senate Bill 327." Governor reiterates compromise: The proposal is based on the following principles: we share the concerns about adequate base-load power for Western Kansas and believe those needs should be addressed so that we can continue our economic development efforts in that part of the state. We recognize that adding additional coal-fired power is likely to lower the high rates currently being paid by some Kansas customers who rely completely on natural gas for electricity. Finally, our operating principles include a growing concern about carbon and its impact on the environment of our state and the health of our citizens. We believe that any proposal to generate significant amounts of new carbon needs to have an accompanying offset plan, recognizing that we are at least a decade away from clean coal technology. In the spirit of reaching a true compromise with utility company officials, representatives from my office made the following offer which we would support:
The framework of this proposal seeks to find a middle ground between all parties concerned and allows for the construction of one power plant that is reasonable and sensible in terms of scope and size. A project of this size provides the base load power needed in western Kansas so that economic growth can continue, while allowing time for Kansas to engage in a process underway or completed in 36 other states that would allow our state to develop real and meaningful carbon regulations. Once those state regulations have been adopted and implemented, applications for additional power plants could be fully considered. S&P: ‘Green’ Programs Could Pressure Utility Credit Ratings Although considerable focus has been placed on the likelihood—and implementation costs—of federal global warming legislation, Standard and Poor’s Ratings Service (S&P) has indicated that it is more concerned with the credit impact on electric utilities from state-mandated renewable portfolio standards (RPS). In a pair of research reports released this month, S&P said that while the credit risks from global warming legislation aimed at capping carbon dioxide emissions are “very real” for utilities and will increase over time as more stringent environmental requirements are imposed, they are also “very manageable,” based on utilities’ experience in environmental compliance over the past few decades. On the other hand, ambitious RPS policies may lead to “painful results” for utility credit quality because they move utilities away from least-cost procurement and toward acquiring “often above-market renewable generation.” Today, 29 states and the District of Columbia have some type of RPS in place. The key variable for both types of green initiatives is to what extent implementation costs can be recovered from ratepayers. In its global warming report, S&P said “public acceptance of the higher rates that utilities may charge to pay for the [emission] controls will be the most important aspect” of credit quality. With RPS, the state mandates generate considerable utility demand for a limited amount of renewable energy supply. As a result, the cost of renewable generation is increasing and will continue to pressure rates. S&P frets that good data on RPS costs are lacking, but consumers will begin to pay these costs “at the same time utilities are incurring other significant costs including escalating fuel costs, rising operations and maintenance expenses, and an unprecedented wave of capital spending.” The potential for regulators and customers to experience “rate hike fatigue” is a key credit concern. Utility bondholder interests would benefit from a “wider and immediate discussion of RPS’ estimated costs,” S&P said, to allow bondholders “to assess which markets are likely to have the greatest rate pressure.” S&P is more optimistic on the credit implications of new global warming legislation. Although the impact will vary by company based on the composition of its generation resources and other factors, “environmental legislation that continually ratchets up a utility’s operational complexity and costs is nothing new,” S&P said, noting that utilities have successfully met the challenge of restrictions on sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and mercury emissions. So, while S&P has “no reason at this point to forecast anything more than a marginal diminution in credit quality directly linked to climate-related legislation,” it also suspects that, in terms of RPS, the “green marathon will be a difficult race for utilities to run, with possibly painful results for credit quality. EPA Study: CO2 Bill Could Increase Electricity Prices by 44 Percent The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said last week that the Lieberman-Warner bill (S. 2191), which would implement a cap-and-trade mechanism to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, could cost up to 4 percent of the country’s gross domestic product, increase power prices by 44 percent and raise the price of carbon dioxide (CO2) allowances up to $83/ton by 2030, if carbon capture technology is widely available. If enabling technologies do not become available in time, the agency said the cost for emitting a ton of carbon dioxide would nearly double by 2030 to up to $152/ton. Both opponents and proponents of the climate change legislation claimed vindication through the EPA study. Proponents said the analysis indicates the nation can curb global warming without sacrificing economic prosperity, while opponents said the bill could deal a deadly blow to the U.S. economy and predicted that besides skyrocketing energy prices, many industries would move overseas to countries with less stringent emissions laws. Under S. 2191, the key results and insights identified in the EPA study included:
Blue Hills Community Services Celebrates Completion of Olive Street Energy Star Rated Homes On April 2 at 9:30 a.m., Blue Hills Community Services is holding a ribbon cutting for Kansas City's newest urban home choice in the Blue Hills neighborhood. The Olive Street Homes consists of five newly constructed single family homes located from 4912 to 4942 Olive Street in Kansas City, Missouri. A once vacant and overgrown block, this development offers affordable homes and the benefits of a historic neighborhood! Three distinct housing floor plans were named after famous Kansas City jazz musicians: The Webster, The McShann and The Turner. Designs blend the "Bungalow" and "Farmhouse" home styles that make living in the Blue Hills neighborhood popular. The three‐bedroom, two or two‐and‐a‐half bathroom homes are from 1,540 to 1,569 square feet in size and have oversized one‐car garages and full basements. The homes are priced from $142,000 to $148,000.Kansas City Dream Program funds may be available to eligible households. All five homes have been Energy Star® Qualified by Hathmore Technologies, LLC and exceed strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The five homes achieved a Home Energy Rating System (HERS) score between 60 and 70, which is 30‐40% more energy efficient than a home built to the latest energy code standards. For more information, visit bhcsmo.org or call 816.333.7870, ext. 203. Blue Hills Community Services, a not‐for‐profit community development corporation, has been a catalyst for neighborhood development for nearly 34 years. Founded in 1974, BHCS set out to battle social and economic challenges faced by residents of the Blue Hills and surrounding neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri. Using a block by block strategy to focus neighborhood revitalization with new and renovated single family homes, multi‐family development and home repair services to owner occupants, BHCS ensures neighborhood development is comprehensive and sustainable in creating healthy urban communities. Help Rock Port Celebrate Being 100% Wind Powered Rock Port, MO 2/4/08 -- Rock Port Missouri is the first 100% wind powered community in the United States. To celebrate this tremendous achievement, a Green Switch Celebration will be held on Friday, April 18, 2008. Rock Port's 100% wind power status is due to four wind turbines located on agricultural lands within the city limits of Rock Port. The city of Rock Port uses approximately 13 million kilowatt hours of electricity each year. It is predicted that these four turbines will produce 16 million kilowatt hours each year. Excess wind generated electricity not used by Rock Port homes and businesses will move onto the transmission lines to be purchased by the Missouri Joint Municipal Utilities for use in other areas. This makes Rock Port, Missouri the first community in America capable of meeting its entire annual electricity demands from wind power! The public is invited to join Rock Port in celebration of its "first in the nation" status as the Memorial Building in Rock Port from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on April 18. At the celebration, the public is welcomed to visit exhibits relating to the wind industry as well as other renewable energy sources and special exhibit tours for school groups can also be arranged. The Switch Throwing Ceremony is set for 11:30 a.m. on Main Street in Rock Port and lunch will be served following the ceremony at the Fire Department Building. The ceremony's features speaker is Soren Hermansen. Hermansen is a resident of Denmark's 100% Renewable Energy Island, Samso. As Director of Samso Energy Academy and widely-known as an energy consultant and adviser, Hermansen is well-positioned to discuss the reality of renewable energy and sustainability. He will offer insight into how Samso Island accepted a government challenge 10 years ago to become self-sufficient in a carbon-neutral way. Rock Port's Green Switch Celebration is being organized by a committee of local and county-wide business people. Atchison County Development Corporation (ACDC) serves as a sponsor, and Ann Schlueter, Director of ACDC, can be contacted for additional information. For information: www.rockportwind.com GREENSBURG, KANSAS BECOMES FIRST CITY TO COMMIT TO LEED PLATINUM GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION January 2, 2008 (Washington, DC) – The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is pleased to announce that the city of Greensburg, Kansas has passed a resolution to certify all city-owned buildings LEED® Platinum, making it the first city in the U.S. to pass such a resolution. LEED Platinum is the highest rating a building can achieve under the USGBC’s LEED Green Building Rating System. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. Greensburg, devastated by a massive tornado on May 4, 2007, has focused its recovery on rebuilding as a model green community. On December 17, 2007, the City Council adopted a resolution that all city buildings greater than 4,000 square feet will be certified LEED Platinum and be required to reduce energy use by 42 percent over current building code requirements. “The city of Greensburg has taken the extraordinary step of committing to rebuild their community to a new vision, not settling for simply recreating what had gone before,” said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. “By committing to a recovery plan based on green building, the community’s leadership has set a path that will result in a healthier, more livable city for its citizens, turning a crisis into an opportunity that is an example for us all.” Following the Council’s historic vote, City Administrator Steve Hewitt said, “I am so excited about being the first city in the U.S. to adopt this system for a town. I am ecstatic about this commitment and what it is telling the world about our town’s character and where we are headed.” Mayor John Janssen said, “This is just another important step in our recovery and our intentions to come back as one of the greenest towns in America.” BNIM Architects of Kansas City, Missouri, worked closely with the city to draft the resolution and to educate the community on the benefits of LEED Platinum certification. The firm is also developing a comprehensive master plan to rebuild Greensburg based around the principles of economic, social and environmental sustainability. “BNIM is pleased to help Greensburg achieve its goal of rebuilding in a sustainable, energy efficient manner that will result in significant operational savings for years to come,” said Stephen Hardy, associate of BNIM Architects and project leader for the Greensburg comprehensive master plan. “This is a landmark resolution for Greensburg and makes the city a model for communities across the nation.” Local, state and national organizations and agencies have been instrumental in promoting green building best practices for Greensburg and helping the communityplan for future generations. The green rebuilding effort has support from Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and its subcontractors are providing technical assistance on all aspects of energy use and building design in Greensburg. The town and its citizens have undertaken many innovative programs and projects that have already positioned this rural community as an innovator with an ambitious vision for the future. As part of the town’s “Green Initiative,” 10 commercial and public buildings in Greensburg have already committed to being LEED certified. This number is especially impressive given the fact that only six buildings currently have received LEED certification in the whole state of Kansas and that this small rural community had a population of only about 1400 before the tornado. For more information on Greensburg’s sustainable rebuilding initiative: www.bnim.com/greensburg. Surprising Survey Results for Platte County Courtesy of Concerned Citizens of Platte County News As part of the Platte Profile long range planning process, Platte County commissioned a random survey of 409 residents in late 2007. The survey was done by ETC Institute and has a 95% level of confidence (+/- 5%). There were some interesting results. Platte County residents rank sustainability of the environment and maintaining control over animal feeding operations high. They do not think the county should make more development a priority.
The Platte Profile Citizen Planning Team is taking these survey results and public comments from the open house, website, focus groups, and comment cards (over 4,000 public comments) under consideration in making recommendations for the long-term vision for the county. There will be one more open house for the public to view the plan prior to adoption by the County Commission in the first half of 2008. Visit www.platteprofile.com for more info. The survey is not posted yet, but should be shortly. Gov. Blunt signs parts of the Midwest Climate Accord Courtesy of Concerned Citizens of Platte County Last month, Gov. Blunt was the only governor of 12 not to sign any part of or even attend the Midwest Governor’s Associations energy meeting focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In December he stuck his toe in the water and signed parts of the agreement – just not the main parts. He refused to sign sections that would commit Missouri to a program to reduce emissions and rely on more renewable electricity sources. For details, go to: http://www.kansascity.com/344/story/411222.html. Johnson County Establishes Climate Protection GoalOn Thursday, December 13, the Johnson County Board of Commissioners approved a resolution to lower the levels of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, and other pollutants in Johnson County by 80 percent by the year 2050. The resolution is patterned after a the Green Government initiative of the National Association of Counties (NACo) and the Cool Counties program spearheaded by King County, Washington. The goals for the Johnson County initiative include:
The greenhouse gas initiative is one of several metropolitan-wide initiatives launched within the last two years to reduce area greenhouse gasses. Johnson County Government’s efforts have included programs such as an annual Ozone Reduction Campaign, Stormwater Management, Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, and Streamway Parks system, have been in operation by the county for several years. KC Power & Light District Gets Wind Powered Clock Tower The Kansas City Power and Light District has installed an artful and timely example of renewable energy through a wind powered clock located in the district. For a video about the installation, go to - http://videos.kansascity.com/vmix_hosted_apps/p/media?id=1624012. |
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