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Page 1 • www.climateandenergyproject.org • Climate + Energy Project
Monthly Power News From CEP
Monthly Power News From CEP •August 2013
I n 2009, Kansas consumers paid little attention to energy effciency due, in large part, to low energy costs. Policy makers, concerned
about rising energy demand, questioned whether effciency could make a significant and lasting impact. In a state with more than 100 municipal-owned and rural electric cooperatives and just a few large investor-owned utilities, Kansas faced varied levels of motivation and a wide range of abililities to provide effciency programs.
In this context, CEP sought to raise the profile of energy effciency and show that effciency works to reduce bills and demand - whether it takes place in rural or urban areas and regardless of the kind of utility. We wanted to harness the spirit of competition, to fully engage influ-ential decision makers in communities across the state, and to loudly applaud the efforts of all kinds of utilities to achieve effciency. This was the beginning of the Take Charge Challenge.
Take Charge uses competition among individual participants and the communities they live in to encourage participation in energy edu-cation as well as completion of activities related to energy use. Chal-lenge tasks can include completing residential energy audits, switching out incandescent light bulbs to more efficient CFL bulbs, and installing programmable thermostats. As participants learn more and complete assigned tasks, they earn points. And in the end, the participants and the community with the most points wins!
To date, two rounds of the Take Charge Challenge have been completed with 22 Kansas cities competing.
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WHAT’S INSIDE:From Our ExecutiveDirector . . . . . . . . . . 2
(Cont.) Challenge& Energy Efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Check Out the Newly-Launched Water + EnergyProgress Website . . . 4
In the Blog . . . . . . . 5
Dialog onSustainability . . . . . . 6
In the News . . . . . . 6 Spotlight on the MEPC Conference . . . . . . . 7
Upcoming Events . . 8
Stay in Touch . . . . . 8
THE CHALLENGE THAT IS CHANGING THE WAY WE APPROACH ENERGY EFFICIENCY
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Monthly Power News From CEP Monthly Power News From CEP
T he CEP team has been on the road pro-moting energy efficiency. On Thursday
we took off for Hays, Kansas for the MOKAN Take Charge Challenge kick-off event. Hays, Hutchinson, Kansas City and Warrens-burg are all competing in this year’s busi-ness energy challenge.
Businesses across Hays were treated to Growlers from Gella’s as they listened to community leaders describe how they could win a $5,000 en-ergy prize while also helping their com-munity win a $10,000 energy upgrade for a community building. The Hays Chamber was a terrific host.
It’s fitting that the first kick-off event for this inaugural com-mercial competition should take place in the hometown of Mid-west Energy (MWE). Over the years, MWE has been recognized nation-wide for their innovative approach to saving their cus-tomers money and energy through a pro-gram called How$mart. This cutting-edge, on-bill financing model allows customers to make energy upgrades and pay for them on their energy bills.
Like CEP, Midwest Energy was focused on energy efficiency long before it was the cool thing to do. When we first began ex-ploring how to encourage people to think about how they use energy, we turned to Michael Volker from MWE. Michael, Direc-tor of Regulatory and Energy Services, is an economist interested in reducing the barri-ers customers face to using less energy.
Together with partners from MWE, We-star Energy, KCP&L and the Kansas Power Pool, we decided people needed a reason
to focus on energy - thus in 2009 the Take Charge Challenge was born. Community leadership teams worked with utility part-ners, to create a strategy to encourage citi-zens to save energy and earn points to win a community prize.
Now, three years down the road, we’ve held the Take Charge Challenge in 22 (soon to be 26) Kansas communities. I am so proud of the work we have done to
change the conversa-tion about home en-ergy use.
On Friday morn-ing, we were wel-comed to Hollywood Casino by members of the Kansas City lead-ership team for break-fast, door prizes and enthusiastic presenta-tions from Mayor Mark Holland and from the Kansas City Board of
Public Utility (KCBPU) General Manager Don Gray, who outlined why energy ef-ficiency and the Take Charge Challenge are a priority for them.
As a municipal utility, KCBPU wants to help their customers save energy to help reduce demand, which can help avoid building expensive generation. They are re-ally working hard for their customers.
I’m very excited to see how Hays, Hutchinson, Kansas City and Warrensburg businesses will compete in the MOKAN Challenge. If the kick-off events are any indication, it’s going to be amazing!
FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR(continued from page 1)
More than 415,000 people have attended Take Charge Challenge events, over 18,000 energy reviews have been completed and chal-lenge activities have resulted in a projected 110 billion BTU’s of ener-gy saved with a value of over $2.3 million!
The challenge success has not just been recognized by Kansas communities. The challenge con-cept has been featured on the front page of the New York Times, was a “best practice” in Lawrence Berkeley Lab’s (LBL) “Driving De-mand for Home Energy Effciency” report, and was highlighted in a LBL documentary “Common Ground,” which was featured during a Sci-ence at the Theater event in Berkeley, California. Take Charge was also featured in “Energy Quest USA” from Earth the Operator’s Manual which premiered nation-wide on PBS on Earth Day 2012.
With the early success of the residential version of Take Charge Chal-lenge, requests from energy partners be-gan to come in for a commercial version of the challenge. Throughout 2013, the CEP team started the discussion, research, and development of a commercial version.
As we designed the commercial version, it was important to think through how and why businesses make decisions to change their energy use. Investments in energy up-grades take more time, more money and approvals from upper management. In or-der to meet the needs of business, the new challenge focuses on the triple bottom line – social, financial and environmental.
As a way to help support behavior change, CEP also created the Results Mod-
el, an organized structure made up of four focus areas:
• EDUCATION – learning and sharing information regarding re-sponsible energy practices
• STRATEGY – adopting goals and developing strategies for im-proving energy practices
• CULTURE – identifying and eval-uating values, policies and prac-tices relating to energy practices
• IMPLEMENTATION – implement-ing measurable energy practices and tracking efficiency outcomes
Tasks related to each Results Model area are used guide partici-pants to learn more and help them get engaged, but also to keep score for the challenge. All partici-pants also receive access to their own participant portal on the new TakeChargeChallenge.com web-site, a full Participant Guide with tools and resources, plus guidance from local Leadership Teams, ven-
dors and experts. The new commercial version is already
in use! Hays, Hutchinson and Kansas City, Kansas and Warrensburg, Missouri are com-peting in the MOKAN Take Charge Chal-lenge that started August 1, 2013 and will run through January 31, 2014.
Plans are underway for the Heartland Take Charge Challenge, which is set to kick off early in 2014. The Heartland challenge will bring together eight cities in four states in the first multi-state challenge.
At CEP, we are proud to play a role in changing the way that individuals and businesses approach energy efficiency. We can’t wait to see where the Take Charge Challenge takes us next.
(CONT.) CHALLENGE & ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Dorothy BarnettExecutive Director,
Climate + Energy Project
The MOKAN Take Charge Challenge kick-off event in Hays, Kansas.
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Monthly Power News From CEP Monthly Power News From CEP
JOIN CEP AT THE STATE FAIR!CEP is partnering with some great organizations to present “Wind Works for Kansas” at the State Fair - and we could use your help! Published August 13, 2013| Read Blog
THE IMPORTANCE OF HISTORYHow the choices we make today will impact our tomorrows. Published August 6, 2013 | Read Blog
RENEWABLE MANDATES, GOALS, AND WIND COSTWhy the Southwest Power Pool looks beyond renewable mandates to include renewable goals in its transmission planning studies. Published August 5, 2013 | Read Blog
LANDFILL GAS TO ENERGY Renewable energy comes in many forms - like the way that the Rolling Meadows Gas to Energy Plant makes energy from trash! Published July 26, 2013 | Read Blog
ANNOUNCING THE KANSAS WATER + ENERGY PROGRESS AWARDS!Water + Energy Progress announces its first winners. Published July 23, 2013 | Read Blog
WHAT OBAMA’S CLEAN ENERGY GOALS COULD MEAN FOR KANSASOn June 25, 2013 President Obama proposed a new Climate Action Plan that could have an impact on jobs and economic growth in Kansas and beyond. Published July 16, 2013 | Read Blog
IN THE BLOG: Read What CEP Staff and Consultants Are Saying
CHECK OUT THE NEWLY-LAUNCHED WATER + ENERGY PROGRESS WEBSITE!
We are excited to announce that the Water + Energy Progress website is now
online! WaterAndEnergyProgress.org will be updated frequently with lots of great infor-mation on practices that lead to reduced energy usage and increased water conser-vation in agriculture. The content will focus on the successful innovations of the Water + Energy Progress Award Winners.
Each month will highlight success-ful innovators, including links to related research, funding opportunities, and sup-porting organizations. Digital farm tours, podcasts, and written materials will be used to tell the story of each successful innovation. You can look forward to guest bloggers, event announcements, spot-lights on research and all sorts of great information about innovations in agricul-ture. Make sure to sign up for the updates so you don’t miss a beat!
The first round of Water + Energy Prog-ress Awards includes producers using cover crops, no-till, intensive rotational grazing, solar pumping stations, subsurface drip irri-gation, and irrigation scheduling... among many other great innovations! We have massive ranches held by the same families for four generations and farmers who now work alongside their grandsons. The stories are educational and inspiring!
We hope that this conversation about successful innovation will encourage col-laborative research, strengthen networks, and continue to support innovation across the region. Water and Energy Progress fo-cuses on home grown solutions for water conservation and energy efficiency from the folks living it every day–the farmers and ranchers of Kansas.
For more information about Water + Energy Progress, including great sponsor-
ship opportunities, email Rachel Myslivy at [email protected].
GAIL FULLER: FARMING IN NATURE’S IMAGEGail Fuller of Fuller Family Farms will kick
off the monthly features of the 2013 award winners. Gail’s “all of the above” approach is truly impressive. Just when you think you’ve heard it all, he starts talking about anoth-er innovative practice he’s working on or thinking about doing in the future. Gail’s commitment to no-till conservation meth-ods with diverse, rotational cover crops saves him water and energy, improves prof-it, and also has a positive impact on the en-vironment. Add intensive rotational grazing - or mob grazing - to the mix, along with a focus on beneficial insects, use of solar wa-ter pumps and fencing, and you’ve got a great example of innovation in Kansas.
No-till conservation methods are com-monly held up as a means to reduce ero-sion, improve water infiltration, decrease run-off, and preserve soil structure. But no-till also saves energy. No-till reduces two to three tillage passes per year, saving farmers serious fuel and reducing their expenses.
But that’s not all Gail does to save wa-ter and energy. His practices of continuous cover cropping and diverse, intense rota-tions fix erosion, generate soil, cut back on pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and com-mercial fertilizers.
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(continued from page 4)Gail explains, “The use of cover crops
has reduced our chemicals, we make at least one less chemical pass per field per year, sometimes two less passes. We use less chemicals, less fuel to make the chemi-cals and less fuel to apply the chemicals. We have cut commercial fertilizer between 20-50%. We intend to cut by 75-95% on chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides.”
There’s still more! Read all about Gail Fuller: Farming in Nature’s Image in Sep-tember on WaterAndEnergyProgress.org. In the meanwhile, check out the rest of
the website and sign up for updates so you don’t miss any of this great information.
Gail Fuller with a solar-powered, mobile water pump.
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Monthly Power News From CEP Monthly Power News From CEP
DIALOG ON SUSTAINABILITY
IN THE NEWS
SPOTLIGHT ON THE MEPC CONFERENCET he CEP gang participated in the 2013 Di-
alog on Sustainability: Global Perspec-tives and Local Action on Saturday, July 20, 2013. Scott White from the Kansas Energy Information Network gave an informative presentation on the status of wind power and the Renewable Portfolio Standards in Kansas. The audience asked great questions about the RPS, and we were happy to see such interest in the future of wind in Kansas.
We also heard from Oral Saulters about the history of the environmen-tal movement and Sustainability Policy. Saulters’ presentation provided a great transition to the community dialogs that comprised the remainder of the event.
Small groups brainstormed on opportu-nities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase community sustainability and resilience. We heard from international stu-dents, long-time Kansans, non-profits, busi-nesses, academics, and community mem-bers. The open dialog was a great way to encourage discussion on tough issues. Par-ticipants voted on possible solutions. The following categories emerged as those with the greatest impact and feasibility.
Greatest impact and most feasibility to reduce greenhouse gas by 2050:1. change energy mix2. food systems3. energy policy
Greatest impact and most feasibility for community engagement and resilience:1. sustainability in education2. community engagement & planning3. recycling
CEP’s Dorothy Barnett responds to questions about the RPS
T he Midwest Energy Policy Conference is designed to amplify the energy con-
versation in the region, focusing on a wide range of issues and featuring speakers across the industry.
The 2013 MEPC will bring fact-based di-alogue to the areas of state energy policy, technologies, environmental regulations and the discord between climate, science and policy. This year, the Midwest Energy Policy Conference (MEPC) will be held on October 28-30 at Washington University in St. Louis.
The Midwest Energy Policy Confer-ence will bring in experts from across the region and country to discuss federal, state and local energy priorities, opportunities and roadblocks, legislative and regulatory actions, energy efficiency, emerging al-ternatives, the path for traditional power sources, national security, and investment in research, jobs, new energy projects, and the hottest issues of the day.
For seven years, the promoters and supporters of the Midwest Energy Policy Conference have championed construc-tive, collegial dialogue on the plethora of Midwest energy issues and promoted an honest, fact-based discussion among our diverse stakeholders. In a world of increas-ing political rhetoric and silos, the Midwest Energy Policy Conference remains a safe harbor for open dialogue, fact-filled ses-sions, collaboration, creative networking, and the advancement of clean, afford-able, reliable, energy as prerequisites for job growth and economic development.
Missouri’s Missouri Energy Initiative (MEI) is hosting the MEPC 2013 conference. MEI is a trusted source for innovative, reliable, clean and sustainable energy information and solutions for Missouri and the world.
If you are interested in registering for the conference or becoming a sponsor for the Midwest Energy Policy Conference, please visit the Missouri Energy Initiative website.
CEP’S RACHEL MYSLIVY PRESENTS AT KACEE CONFERENCEMyslivy talked about team-building at the Kansas Association for Conservation and Envi-ronmental Education & Kansas Green Schools and Environmental Education Conference. Published July 27, 2013 | Read Article
JOHN MANVILLE CUTS LIGHTING USE 80% AT MANUFACTURING PLANT American Energy Solutions completed a sustainability project that allowed the Johns Manville plant in Richmond, IN to cut yearly energy consumption by 2.7 million kWh. Published August 12, 2013 | Read Article
NEWLY AVAILABLE WIND POWER OFTEN HAS NO PLACE TO GOThe nation’s transmission grid is stuggling to keep up with the growth of renewable energy like wind. Published August 5, 2013 | Read Article
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Monthly Power News From CEP
UPCOMING EVENTS
STAY IN TOUCH
KANSAS STATE FAIR: WIND WORKS FOR KANSAS BOOTH • SEPTEMBER 6-15, 2013
BUSINESS LEADERS AND POLICYMAKERS ROUNDTABLE ON RENEWABLE ENERGY • SEPTEMBER 26, 2013Join local chambers of commerce, business leaders and policymakers from across Kan-sas and Missouri to discuss the costs and benefits of the regional renewable energy indus-try and learn how to support the grown of renewable energy in our region. The event will be held in the Kansas City Board Room, Union Station, 30 West Pershing Road, Kansas City Missouri. Co-hosted by the Kansas Chamber, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and the Climate + Energy Project.
BUILT ENVIRONMENT AND THE OUTDOORS SUMMIT • SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2013The 7th Summit continues its tradition of excellence by providing attendees with resourc-es to enhance their efforts to promote health as it relates to the built environment and the outdoors.Visit kansasbeos.org to learn more.
KANSAS ENERGY CONFERENCE • OCTOBER 1-2, 2013Held at the Manhattan, Kansas, the Kansas Energy Conference will welcome Dennis Wi-erzbicki as a featured speaker. Mr. Wierzbicki is the president of Grundfos USA, a branch of an international water technology company with an annual production of more than 17 million units. Breakout session topics will include renewable energy, wind energy, trans-portation of alternitive fuels, education, agriculture, research, and more.Visit kansascommerce.com/EnergyConference to learn more.
CEP STAFF:Dorothy Barnett, Executive DirectorEmail: [email protected]: 785.424.0444
Cassi Reimer, Program DirectorEmail: [email protected]: 785.424.0055
Rachel Myslivy, Program DirectorEmail: [email protected]: 785.424.4115
www.climateandenergy.org
facebook.com/CEPHeartland
@CEPHeartland
