Climate and energy

Today in Beijing, President Obama’s and Chinese president Hu Jintao announced a clean energy plan – including a Clean Energy Research Center, a US-China Electric Vehicles Initiative, Energy Efficiency Action Plan, and a focus on 21st Century Coal research.

The Wall Street Journal Environmental Capital blog looks at the % of Texas’ power being produced by wind. A couple weeks ago – October 28th to be exact – wind turbines provided about 25% of Texas’ power consumption, which, according to a recent report, may soon begin to drive down Texan’s power bills.

And the “Green Impact Zone” in Kansas City Missouri is pursuing unique partnerships to spur energy efficiency in the region.  (story below)

Green Impact Zone Inspires Change to Homeowner Energy-efficiency Rebate Program
Kansas City Info Zine
Optional payment feature will benefit homeowners both in and out of the zone

Kansas City, Mo – infoZine – The Metropolitan Energy Center, Kansas City Power & Light and Missouri Gas Energy have developed a unique program to help homeowners make their homes more energy efficient. KCP&L and MGE customers in the Green Impact Zone and throughout Missouri are eligible to participate.

The Home Performance with ENERGY STAR® program was designed as a rebate program where homeowners would pay for an energy audit and qualified improvements, then be reimbursed for up to $600 through credits on their electricity bills. MGE and KCP&L announced a joint partnership in September that would increase the available bill credits to $1,200 — $600 from each utility.

Attendees at a Green Impact Zone committee meeting held in late summer discussed ways to encourage homeowners — many of whom may find it difficult to pay for the work up front and wait for reimbursement — to take advantage of the HPWES program. As a result of this discussion, as well as feedback from participating auditors, contractors and other project partners, the utilities expanded the program option that allows all participating customers to authorize KCP&L and MGE to use the credit that would have gone on the customer’s gas or electric bill to make direct payments to a third party such as a participating contractor — with no out-of-pocket expenses for the homeowner unless the work exceeds $1,200. This is an optional feature that may not be offered by all certified companies.

Residents who want to participate in the HPWES program begin by selecting a certified company — listed online at www.hpwes.net — to perform an energy audit on their homes and determine what energy improvements are needed, such as added insulation, new energy-efficient windows and doors, and air-sealing work. Many of the certified auditors are also contractors who can complete the necessary work. The online application includes an area where the homeowner can authorize the contractor to receive payment of up to $1,200 directly from KCP&L and MGE.

While many homes may need more than $1,200 to reach maximum energy efficiency, the energy audit provides a road map that will help homeowners plan and budget for additional projects over time.

The Green Impact Zone is a 150-square block area of Kansas City, Mo. — stretching from 39th Street to 51st Street and from Troost to Prospect and Swope Parkway — that has experienced severe abandonment and economic decline. The Mid-America Regional Council is leading a coordinated effort by neighborhood groups and other community stakeholders to target resources, particularly federal stimulus funds, in this area to make it a national model for building stronger neighborhoods, providing jobs and economic opportunities, and improving energy efficiency.

-published by Eileen Horn, climateandenergy.org