Missouri Sierran – June 2016
Vote for Sierra Club-endorsed candidates on August 2!
By John Hickey, Sierra Club Missouri Chapter Director
The Missouri Sierra Club has endorsed two incumbent Congressmen for re-election in the August 2 Primary.
Congressman Lacy Clay represents the First Congressional District in the St. Louis area. Representative Clay has earned a lifetime score of 88% on the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Scorecard, and has proven to be a consistent advocate for environmental protection and clean energy. On Earth Day (April 22), Congressman Clay joined the Sierra Club on the roof of the new Ikea store to inspect the largest rooftop solar array in the state. Read more...
Hard work saves New State Park on the Eleven Point River
By John Hickey
During this past legislative session, anti-public lands forces tried to overturn plans for a new state park on the Eleven Point River in southeast Missouri, and force the sale of the land to private interests. Fortunately, thanks to hard work by Sierra Club members across the state, this legislation did not pass. Read more...
Energy Update: Ameren Losing Clean Energy Race While Other Utilities Take the Lead
By Andy Knott, Beyond Coal Campaign Senior Representative
While other utilities in Missouri are embracing clean energy, the largest utility in the state, Ameren, continues to fall behind.
In April, we released a comprehensive report called A Bright Future: Moving from Coal to Clean Energy in the St. Louis Region. The report analyzes electric utilities in Missouri and the Midwest, comparing their investments in wind and solar. While some companies are soaring ahead, Ameren is in last place with only one percent wind and solar. Read more...
Clean Power Plan Delayed
By Andy Knott, Beyond Coal Campaign Senior Representative
Clean energy is cheaper than dirty coal. The KCPL and Springfield examples above are further evidence that clean energy is advancing in Missouri based on economics, while proposed climate and public health safeguards such as the Clean Power Plan are bogged down by legal challenges from utilities and state attorneys general. Read more...
Chair’s Column
By Sarah Willey, Chapter Chair
I was elected this year to succeed Jim Turner as Missouri Chapter Chair. He has left some very big shoes to fill! I am thankful for the foundation he has laid with his leadership and excited for the work ahead.
At the beginning of the year, the ExCom engaged in a mini strategic planning session to establish four priorities for 2016. Read more...
Coal Blooded
By Gretchen Waddell Barwick
The Sierra Club was proud to host “Coal Blooded: Profits Before People” with the NAACP of Kansas City, MO and Sustainable Sanctuaries Coalition! Read more...
2016 Legislative Report
By Michael Berg, Chapter Organizer
2016 was not a great legislative session in Jefferson City for Missouri’s environment. The reality is that with the present make-up of the House and Senate, it is basically impossible to pass strong environmental legislation. While positive bills are not being considered, several bad bills did pass this session, including a bill designed to give control of our Clean Water Commission to corporate agricultural interests. In order to change this situation, we need more legislators elected who work for the best interests of our environment. Read more...
Energy Efficiency = Big Payoffs
By John R. Wrightfield
My dream was to build an energy efficient home that was sustainable, multigenerational, and “smart,” with Americans with Disability Act concepts. In 2013, we began that project seeking to decrease our energy footprint. Read more...
It is 2016, Do You Know Where Your Building Code is?
By Gretchen Waddell Barwick, Chapter Organizer
Energy efficient building codes save us money and energy. They make our homes safer and our air cleaner. However, since Missouri does not have a statewide building code, it is up to cities and counties to adopt and update their residential and commercial codes. Read more...
Say Hello to our Summer Interns!
We are excited to have several interns at the Sierra Club this summer. Through their internship they will work with Sierra Club members, the community and other interns on advocacy issues in the state of Missouri. If you see them, say hi! Read more...