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News Release 279
REPORT LAUDS IMPACT OF ENERGY CONSERVATION;
MISSOURI EFFORTS SHOW BENEFITS, POTENTIAL
Volume 36-279 |
Contact: Kerry Cordray |
(For immediate release) |
573-526-4220 |
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, MAY 15, 2008 -- Even as Missourians face a total annual energy bill of more than $20 billion, residents can take some comfort knowing that energy costs would be even greater if not for the significant energy conservation strides the state has made in recent years, and the potential it has to do even more, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Energy Center.
Missouri's experience of finding economic benefit in energy conservation and knowing that there is potential for doing even better mirrors the findings of a report released today lauding national efforts and highlighting the potential for even greater economic benefits from energy conservation.
A report released today by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy concludes that energy-efficiency efforts made nationwide during 2004 alone saved an amount of energy equivalent to the amount needed to operate 40 mid-sized power plants. The report touts the significant environmental and economic gains made by energy-efficiency efforts and points out that tremendous potential gains remain to be captured.
In Missouri, this potential for significant further energy savings, also exists. In recognition of the environmental and economic benefits of energy efficiency, Missouri state leaders, the Department of Natural Resources, utility companies and others have stepped up efforts in recent years to tap energy-efficiency gains in Missouri.
- In 2008, Governor Blunt proposed the Show-Me Green Tax Holiday, which is under consideration in the closing hours of the legislative session. The tax holiday would reward Missourians for choosing to purchase energy-efficient appliances.
- In late 2007, Governor Blunt joined more than 65 area businesses and community groups to sign the Kansas City Climate Protection Partnership. The signatories commit to assessing and reducing environmental impacts from greenhouse gas emissions.
- In 2007, Governor Blunt signed the Green Power Initiative, which sets goals for meeting 11 percent of Missouri's electricity needs through energy efficiency or renewable energy use by 2020.
Major Department of Natural Resources initiatives also focus on energy-efficiency investments made by utility companies. During the past several years, the department's Energy Center has worked effectively through utility rate cases to present information about the benefits of energy efficiency. These efforts have led to partnerships with several Missouri utility companies.
As a result, investor-owned utility investments in energy-efficiency programs to help customers save energy have increased from $0 in 2000 to more than $22.5 million in 2010. One Missouri utility company, AmerenUE, has set a goal of using energy-efficiency programs for its customers to save the equivalent of more than 500 megawatts, which represents a medium-sized power plant.
The department's Energy Center partners with the University of Missouri-Columbia to offer energy audits to Missouri industries. Implementation of audit recommendations is forecasted to save $1.25 million each year in energy costs.
Projects financed through the department's energy loan and low-income weatherization assistance programs have saved, since inception, an estimated $23.6 million each year.
Missourians paid nearly $20 billion for all energy needs in 2005. This was 12 percent of Missourians' total disposable income. Most of this money leaves Missouri because more than 95 percent of the primary, conventional fuels consumed come from outside the state.
A copy of the ACEEE report is available online at http://www.aceee.org/pubs/e083.htm. More information on Department of Natural Resources' energy loan and conservation programs is also available online: http://www.dnr.mo.gov/energy/index.html.
For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/index.html. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.
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