May 26, 2009 7:15
p.m.
President Mark Froese chaired the
meeting.
Matt Vianello representing Jeff
Smith, our 4th district Senator reported that the session was now
over but that Jeff wished to remain in touch with issues affecting local
residents.
President-Elect David Bruns
introduced Cara Dolly, Energy Efficiency Manager from AmerenUE along with Tom
Shultz, Manager and Richard Ockers, Project Engineer from Laclede Gas
Utilization Engineering Department.
Ms. Dolly outlined a three year
energy efficiency program within AmerenUE that started in September of last
year. Energy efficiency is being called
the “first fuel” as it can have a significant impact in reducing demand,
without requiring changes in lifestyle.
Energy use by customers has increased 50% since the 1980’s and they will
soon need to add extra capacity as older plants are retired. Although renewable energy is an important
addition to total energy availability, it cannot provide a good baseload within
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Lighting and
appliances – just recently approved and will include working with retailers to
develop incentives to e.g. provide incentives to buy Compact Fluorescent Light
Bulbs
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Home performance with
EnergyStar, which has been submitted for approval
-
HVAC – replacement and
tune-ups – next Spring
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Improvements to common
areas in multi-family units – planned approval in June
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Multi-family income
qualified programs
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EnergyStar standards
in new home construction – hit by recession and issues of cost justification
She said that AmerenUE was
learning for the best practices learnt in NY and CA but in MO the cost of energy
was relatively much cheaper and supply was adequate so the economic and social
benefits of efficiency are not as great as on the coasts. However, it was still critical for
environmental and cost reasons to focus on efficiency. She pointed to an Energy Savings Toolkit that
was available at www.Ameren.com to help individuals model their own house and
potential efficiencies. She finished
with a short video on “vampire” products, i.e. products which drew electricity
all the time even when not in use, with TVs, stereo systems and all forms of
chargers being the worst culprits. These
devices can use up to one month’s total electricity in a year. So, unplug them when not in use.
Mr. Ockers from Laclede Gas
explained that Laclede uses “de-coupled” rates that allow base operating costs
and profits to be taken in the initial charges and gas after that is charged at
cost, so the company has no incentive to sell extra volume. He said there were several conservation
programs in place through 2010 or until the funds ($3.95M) ran out. He highlighted some of the programs, with
more details available at www.lacledegas.com:
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rebates to residential
owners for high efficiency gas systems
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“30 hot tips” to
customers to increase efficiency
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Customer Connections –
enables you to track usage and get analysis
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EnergyWise Furnace
Financing Program – to help residential and commercial customers purchase high
efficiency furnaces and appliances
“A taste of South Grand” will take
place on June 3, announced Rachel Witt, Executive Director of The South Grand
Community Improvement District. You can
buy on-line for $26.00 or $28.00 on the day.
Rachel also announced that they had received approval for the loan for
the parking lot behind Commerce Bank.
The other party involved is still waiting approval but she was hopeful
that work could begin soon. She said
that Café Mochi, a new Japanese restaurant, had now opened at 3221 S. Grand and
that a new Lebanese restaurant would be opening shortly. In addition, Emack and Bolio, the ice cream
café, will now be opening at 11.00 a.m.
Rachel reported that we will still
waiting for MODOT approval of the Great Streets proposed work but that
construction had to begin by March, 2010 at the latest. Alderwoman Jennifer Florida said she was
concerned that the design contract for $680K had gone to a firm in
The meeting was adjourned at 8.45 p.m.
Robert
Ashton