The Renew Gurus: Recent Episodes
Renew Missouri
This week, we dive in with University of Missouri international relations professor Dr. Victor McFarland on U.S. relations with the Middle East and how this has impacted energy decisions over time.
Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owen talks about recent solar victories in St. Louis county's Clarkson Valley with long-time solar advocate Frances Babbs
Renew Missouri discusses current conflicts in the Middle East and how this is affecting global energy prices. Featuring guest panelists from Drury University: David Hammons (Visiting Professor of Economic) and Dr. Jeff VanDenBerg (Chair of the Political Science Department, Professor of Political Science, and Director of Middle East Studies).
Executive Director James Owen and Jonathan Kim, a Research Associate with the Energy and Policy Institute, talk about how much of your electric bill goes back to Wall Street and lines the pockets of investors based on a study of utilities all around the country. The conversation takes a particular focus on Ameren Missouri. In a state where bills are rising, learning about where that money goes will surprise you.
Join Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owen as he talks to Fair Grove Fire District Chief Randall Hoskins and District President Mike Strozewski as we talk about the small town's effort to save money by going solar. We talk about electrification, government budgets, and how much fire equipment has escalated in costs over the past several years. It's quite a journey in this conversation and we hope you join us. Or, if you are a government leader, you can learn something about how solar can help your budget.
in Kansas City at the end of the month. He and Executive Director James Owen talk about the show's themes, why art is important in dangerous times, and about the bustling KC culture scene. Check out the show and give the podcast a listen!
What's Integrated Resource Planning and why are groups Renew Missouri so interested in it? We talk with RAP's Alex Antel about the current IRP process, what's going to change as the result of new laws, and what an ideal process looks like for the public. I know this sounds really confusing but we promise it will be an educational and enlightening chat.
Join Renew Missouri's Executive Director James Owen as he sits down with Green Dirt Farm's Sarah Hoffman to talk about sustainable farming, small businesses relying on solar, and the perils facing small ag operations in the modern era. Lots of ground to cover and we go way beyond talking energy as James gets into his farming background as well.
Join Renew MIssouri Executive Director as he talks about Springfield's City Utilities with former Councilmember Dan Chiles. A lively discussion about the future of Missouri's third largest city.
Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he sits down to talk with The Missouri Times' Scott Faughn to discuss not only the 2025 Legislative Session but the Special Session called to deal with the Royals' Stadium and St. Louis tornado relief
Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he speaks with Kala Homes about the importance of efficiency to home construction and why energy codes should be important to homeowners.
Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he talks with the Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City's Julia Powell on the important role CAA's play in providing energy efficiency measures to our low-income neighbors.
Join Renew Missouri's Tori Cheatham and James Owen as they speak with former Renew Crew member Andrew Linhares about the Energy Burden Explorer tool and how the public - as well as policymakers and lawmakers - can use this to help understand this critical issue
Join Renew Gurus as we talk to EPI's Jonathan Kim about some of the more outrageous items Ameren tries to get ratepayer to cover. The conversation also dives into Ameren's disconnection rate and growing concerns about the price of electricity.
Join Renew MO's James Owen as he talks to Ameren's Rian Heidbrier about Ameren's Community Solar program. We discuss how it works and how you can go solar with Ameren
Join Renew MO ED James Owen as he talks with the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council Clean Schools' Coordinator Deborah Rogers about why sustainability matters in education.
Join Renew's James Owen as he discusses housing policy and energy with the Metropolitan Congregation United's Myisha Johnson
Join our very uncool Executive Director James Owen as he talks to the very cool AY about how sustainability goals and music should mix, about the transformative power of art, and how Kansas City lives up to expectations of social change. Be sure to look up AY's Battery Tour to learn more about his work!
Join Renew MO's James Owen as he talks with KU Law Professor Rick Levy on the overturning of the Chevron case and what's in store for environmental regulations.
Join Renew MO Director James Owen as he talks with co-founder PJ Wilson about demand charges, the war against solar, and why democracy matters in a utility.
Join Executive Director James Owen as he sits down with the always-freewheeling Scott Faughn to discuss the Governor's race, the reproductive rights ballot initiative, and whether Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race. Politics plays an outsized role in energy policy and utility ratemaking whether we like it or not. Scott can discuss the nuances of every race and candidate as well as anyone in Missouri. You won't want to miss it.
Community solar is a concept embraced by twenty states. But Missouri has yet to jump on board. What's the hold up, and why should anyone care whether we have community solar or not? We talk with Sunvest's Kevin Borgia about the concept and about why the Legislature needs to act.
The public has the ability to change our own laws, but what is the process that and how the Missouri Legislature is trying to limit it? Renew Gurus talks to Jefferson City superlawyer Chuck Hatfield about the current state of IP "reform" and how Renew Missouri might be involved in whether the reform will impact the abortion issue in this state. (Really!)
Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he talks with Dr. Catherine Robinson about her work to bring democracy to Mississippi's REC Member-Owners!
Join Renew Gurus as they talk to attorneys Rob Harry and Amanda Engel as they explain why tax credits and federal financing opportunities are so critical to our energy future.
Join Renew Gurus as we talk to State Rep. David Tyson Smith (D-Columbia) about his motivation to public service and the legislative process in the state of Missouri. It is a great conversation about how the Missouri Legislature really works.
Join Renew Gurus as we sit down with former Chair of the Public Service Commission Karl Zobrist and talk about past and future challenges facing utilities, as well as the City of Independence's analysis of whether to sell their electric utility.
Join Renew Gurus as we continue talking with new members of the Rural Power Coalition. This week we talk to ALIPL's Kyle Crider about advocating for energy in the River State, the role faith plays in our work, and why Alabama's best days are ahead.
Join Renew Gurus as we interview Voltus CEO Gregg Dixon to talk about the Public Service Commission's ruling on bringing more energy to the grid.
Join Host and Exec Director James Owen as he chats with Renew Missouri's new Kansas City Coordinator Emily Weber about the work she is doing for the group, her upbringing, her political activism, and her role as a State Representative.
Over the next several months, Renew Gurus will be interviewing new members of the Rural Power Coalition and introducing them as well as their work in their respective states. Our first guest is Deborah Opie of the GCV's Education Fund where she will talk about co-op advocacy work in the state of Georgia.
Join Executive Director James Owen as he talks with the Sierra Club's Brian Smith about the challenges facing RECs and how the IRA can help.
Join the Executive Director, James Owen, as he talks to E&E News' Energy Reporter Jeffrey Tomich about the controversy surrounding Evergy's new 'Time of Use' rates, the role renewables play in Time of Use rates (if any), and if the PSC has gone "woke".
Executive Director host James Owen talks with R Street's Josiah Neeley about the utility companies' plans to put a chokehold on transmission projects. We talk about Right of First Refusal legislation in Missouri as well as other states and what it means for renewable energy in general.
Ep 91 - Renew Gurus Tackles the 2022 MO Legislature with Scott Faughn by Renew Missouri
Ep 90 - Renew Gurus: A "Seam"-ingly Interesting Energy Grid Talk with David Mindham by Renew Missouri
Ep 87 - Renew Gurus Talks Grasstop Lobbying with MCE's Melissa Vatterott by Renew Missouri
Ep 86 - Renew Gurus Talking FERC and Infrastructure with Rob Gramlich by Renew Missouri
Episode 84: Talking Jeff City Dysfunction with Missouri Times' Kaitlyn Schallhorn by Renew Missouri
Episode 82: Renew Gurus Kicks off 2022 Legislative Session with Rep. Betsy Fogle by Renew Missouri
Episode 80: Renew Gurus on the Spire Pipeline Battle with EDF's Natalie Karas by Renew Missouri
Episode 79: Renew Gurus on the Big Lie of the Boone County Commission by Renew Missouri
Episode 70: Renew Gurus: Talking Missouri Legislature with The Missouri Times' Conner Kerrigan by Renew Missouri
Join us as we sit down with Renew Guru Brent Schondelmeyer of Indy Energy to learn how to become a clean energy advocate in your community.
Join us as we talk to Simon Mahan about a new and upcoming transmission concept that could include Missouri, the Southeast Energy Exchange Marketplace ("SEEM").
Join us as our own James Owen and Tim Opitz discuss the 2020 election results and what it means for Missouri going into 2021.
James Owen and Tim Opitz from Renew Missouri explain what an AAO (Accounting Authority Order) case is. They provide some details on the current Spire and Evergy cases along with a preview of the other COVID-19 related issues the MO PSC will be reviewing throughout the rest of 2020.
Join us as we celebrate EE Day by discussing the energy efficiency happenings from across the state of Missouri. You can learn about how Missouri's largest cities scored in the most recent ACEEE Clean City Scorecard and more!
Including special guest appearances from Andrew Linhares, Tori Cheatham, and Philip Fracica.
You can find the REC Member Survey - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdL-ketdVFW9BNsmVJ1kL2EzzWtqQ-Yu5QLuFX26YiMtrHT2Q/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0
This week, Renew Gurus is kicking off a series of sorts with looking at the connections between public health and energy efficiency. As you know, we've been presenting webinars on this topic over the summer with perspectives from the utilities, housing advocates, and social workers.
This week on Renew Gurus, we're excited to highlight a program from the USDA called the Rural Energy Assistance Program, or REAP. This gives farmers and small business owners in rural areas a chance to seek low-interest loans from the government as well as grants that can be used to make energy efficiency improvements to their operations and to develop some distributive renewable energy opportunities.
This week, Renew Gurus welcomes Philip Fracica, Renew Missouri's Kansas City Regional Director to discuss happenings at Evergy, Independence Power & Light, as well as other ways of getting involved with our KC efforts. We have fun and engage in good natured ribbing. Perhaps it will bring a smile to your face and a spring to your step.
This week Renew Gurus welcomed Bryce Gray, the Energy and Environment reporter for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Utilities are part of his beat and, this week, he penned a pretty interesting article on how Missouri utilities could be affected by increases in average temperatures.
Hello Out There in Podcast World,
We have another real treat for you this week. Bill Davis, Director of Energy Solutions for Ameren Missouri, is our guest. We beamed him all the way from St. Louis to discuss Ameren's second round of Community Solar subscriptions. We've talked about this before - and even mentioned it in Re-News last week - that Ameren is half-way to their goal of successfully subscribing enough customers to build an additional 6MW of power.
We're back to our regularly-scheduled programming even if things are not back to their regular schedule. Today on the podcast, Renew Missouri General Counsel Tim Optiz and I talk about how utilities and regulators have handled the COVID-19 crisis and how that will affect policies and procedures moving forward. We talk about disconnections, bill collections, and how those matters get passed onto other customers. Sometimes. But we also talk about how social distancing and lockdown orders affect energy efficiency efforts.
Hello out there in Podcast World,
You may not know this since the Capitol is all but closed to the public, but lawmakers are working extra hard to raise your utility rates as we speak. While many states are looking at relief, projects like the Grain Belt Express (which will save ratepayers $12 million a year thanks to wind being delivered from out west) are being targeted.
But there's more, including an amendment to laws involving a concept called ISRS. You may not know what this is, but it does have an impact on your utility bill in certain parts of the state. What is it and how does it work? We have Consumer Council Interim Director/Counsel John Coffman on to talk about it.
It's been awhile since I've gotten a chance to write that. But I've finally sat down and figured out how to record a podcast in the world of social distancing and we have a brand new spanking version of Renew Gurus. At some point, we will figure out how to edit these podcasts as well. But, if you're fans of us, you're probably use to things being a little ragtag around here.
Anywho, we've got St. Louis Director/Counsel Andrew Linhares on this week to talk about one of our biggest and most ambitious projects yet. Renew Missouri has teamed up with Washington University to develop a no-hassle commercial solar process that will allow large-scale customers in the St. Louis Metro Area to work with trusted partners and help harness the sun to power their business.
Hello out there in Podcast World,
You may notice this is not last Thursday when we normally ship out our emails. We had a technical glitch that kept us from putting this out until today.
Don’t worry..the content is still super-relevant. General Counsel Tim Opitz and I talk about the issue of activist shareholders and how they are currently impacting renewable policy in our state - specifically at Evergy.
Do we have a treat for you this week. As you've read in our Re-News, Jason Holsman - former State Senator and Representative who developed a renowned reputation as an advocate for renewable energy and energy efficiency - was named to the Public Service Commission by Governor Mike Parson. Now, he sits down with Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owen to discuss his life, his background in teaching, experiences with passing landmark energy legislation, and his initial impressions of the PSC.
This week, I break down the issues which led to House Bill 1914 - removing the exemption on property taxes for solar equipment - and why that is bad and what you can do about it.
This week...the weather messed up some interviews we had lined up. But this allowed us to talk about a subject that I've been wanting to do a Renew Gurus on for some time: our Public Health and Energy Efficiency Education Program.
The 2020 Legislative Session has kicked off Wednesday at noon with a whole bevvy of issues to tackle: road taxes, illegal gambling machines, and overturning Clean Missouri. There's also a lot of utility- and energy-related issues that are good, bad, ugly, and meh. We've outlined everything we are currently watching on our website. But we're also talking about the most recent bills in this week's podcast.
You might assume Renew Missouri would have taken the week off and not bothered you with the latest and greatest on renewable energy policy and politics in the Show-Me State. But no! In fact, we are starting back up with our Legislative Series where we aren't necessarily talking about renewables but helping our audience get to know people who serve in the Missouri Legislature. Which is a really hard job.
This week, we are lucky to have Rep. Martha Stevens (D-Columbia) of the 46th District. Rep. Stevens was elected in 2016 and was involved with not-for-profit advocacy before her role as a lawmaker. She offers her insights into significant policy challenges for Missouri and talks about how things like term limits and gerrymandering makes the role of governing harder.
We're covering breaking news on Renew Gurus this week. As you might have seen in yesterday's press release, the Public Service Commission (PSC) approved Evergy's (formerly KCP&L's) MEEIA programs that promises to save customers a lot of money and to cut significantly on the amount of power Evergy has to produce. The decision is a big win for Missouri.
A special, early version of Renew Gurus this week. Perhaps you can plug this in on your long car ride or gather the family around the fireplace and listen to the smooth sounds of General Counsel Tim Opitz and I discussing Court of Appeal decisions brought down last week on the Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS) law. What does this have to do with renewable energy or efficiency? Not much! But the subject does illustrate the sometimes complicated and convoluted process that goes into energy law and policy.
This week, Renew Gurus talks about an issue we deal with A LOT at Renew Missouri: Homeowner Associations restrictions on rooftop solar panels. General Counsel Tim Opitz and I talk about why these onerous restrictions are so common, whether they are legal, and how to deal with them if you want to put solar panels on your roof. Tim and I also get into a weird jurisprudence discussion for you legal nerds out there.
We are joined this week by Matt Forck, Ameren Missouri's Vice-President for Community, Economic Development, and Energy Solutions.
We talk about some of Ameren Missouri's exciting solar programs, but also about recent news that the PSC approved the utility's Charges Ahead program that promises to kick-start the electric vehicle (EV) market in the Show-Me State.
We also talk about the company's Community Solar Program that is currently fully-subscribed (woo-hoo) but is still taking applications for when more solar power gets on the grid.
We also talk about Ameren's new Neighborhood Solar Program, which allows businesses and residents to participate with Ameren to build solar arrays throughout their service territory.
Finally, Matt and I also talk about Ameren's innovative Solar + Storage Petition before the Public Service Commission.
This week, we're looking at a case that's made quite a splash at the Public Service Commission (PSC) the past week. It involves Kansas City Power & Light's (KCPL) decision to close one of their coal plants. Which is good! We like that and want to see more utility companies do the same thing.
This week, we're looking at a case that's made quite a splash at the Public Service Commission (PSC) the past week. It involves Kansas City Power & Light's (KCPL) decision to close one of their coal plants. Which is good! We like that and want to see more utility companies do the same thing.
We have an honest-to-goodness Renew Guru on this week. Mark Cayce, the Director of the Ouachita Electric Cooperative in southern Arkansas, is our guest to talk about his coop's experience with the Pay As You Save (PAYS), a program where energy efficiency measures are paid back to the utility through your bill every month. This has worked in places like North Carolina and New Hampshire and, yes, Arkansas. Can it work in Missouri?
This is not a repeat. We're talking about PACE again. But now we are focused on the Greene County Commission's decision to back out of the clean energy financing policy and the City of Springfield's pending decision to back out of this. Much of the rationale for this is based on incorrect information and rhetoric pushed by opponents of the legislation. We also go over some of these anti-PACE talking points in the podcast and respond to each.
A very special edition of Renew Gurus is in your inbox this week. We welcome the return of Office of Public Counsel Chief Economist Geoff Marke to discuss Urban Heat Islands and how mitigating them will lead to great energy efficiency. This leads into the Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) hearing being conducted on September 23rd and 24th at the PSC hearing room in Jefferson City. You can tune into the PSC's website (www.psc.mo.gov) to watch it live.
This week's Renew Gurus digs into the Ameren Gas Rate Case that just concluded before the PSC. General Counsel Tim Optiz and I talk about the energy efficiency programs tied into the case as well as other relevant decisions involving conservation and fixed charges. We also explain why in the Heck Renew Missouri is interested in a gas utility case to begin with.
You may also notice this is the second time in a month where the podcast titles references Ernest P. Worrell. So many apologies for that.
Renew Missouri has been working very hard on wind farm projects all over the state. From the southwest to the northeast and all other points and beyond, Renew Missouri has advocated for these clean energy sources before the Public Service Commission and local planning & zoning commissions. In this effort, our staff has come across some...interesting arguments from anti-wind activists about the "dangers and perils" of wind turbines.
Our research clerk Emily Piontek has compiled these and we devote this week's Renew Gurus to debunking some of the more common myths circulating about wind power. We hope you listen to this and can take away some points that can be used in conversations you have about the topic.
This week, Renew Missouri Counsel Tim Opitz and I discuss a rulemaking change our organization filed with the Public Service Commission (PSC). This involves changing the regulations involving the co-generation of solar onto the grid. Congress passed the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) in 1978 with the purpose of diversifying the types of power sources used by our utilities. Missouri has a rule in place but this doesn't give much incentive to developers.
This week, we talk with Ygrene's Byron DeLear about the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) district in Missouri. What is PACE, how has it impacted the Missouri economy, and why legislative efforts must be taken to make PACE stronger and better.
We're back on track this week as the Renew Gurus tackle House Bill 220, which changes the ways counties assess the value of wind farms. This is a very big deal in removing a hurdle for utility companies in building out their renewable production.
Renew Gurus on EV Charging Stations and how recent case law required the Legislature to act this year to make it easier for municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives to build EV charging stations.
This week. we get a chance to talk about the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) here in Missouri. This is a crucial program for housing, poverty, and energy efficiency. No one knows more about this than Andrew Linhares who, in addition to being our St. Louis Director, is also the state lead for Energy Efficiency For All (EEFA).
This week, we travel to Kansas City to talk with Keith Murphy of RisingSun Solar. The Renew Gurus take over the KC office of Renew Missouri...
This week, Renew Gurus takes a look at the City of Columbia's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. While this focuses on many issues, we talked specifically about renewable energy and energy efficiency with Climate Action Task Force Member, Alexander Antel on what it means, why it matters, and how you can weigh in.
Link to House Resolution 109 (submitted by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez):https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hres109/BILLS-116hres109ih.pdf
Article describing Noranda's history & aluminum smeltering plant closure: https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/noranda-aluminum-closure-marks-the-end-of-an-era-in/article_335027a8-2a8b-591f-9f9c-aaabbffab0a0.html
The article & video about Energy Vault using concrete blocks to store energy can be found here: https://qz.com/1355672/stacking-concrete-blocks-is-a-surprisingly-efficient-way-to-store-energy/
Energy Vault's Introductory Presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/pd8uauwr4379gr4/Energy%20Vault%20Introductory%20Presentation%20-%20Dec%202018.pdf?dl=0
Below you'll find links to the various reports/articles discussed in the podcast.
Clean Jobs Midwest Report: https://www.cleanjobsmidwest.com/
Commissioner Rupp's website, "Simplifying Energy:" http://simplifyingenergy.com/
Commissioner Rupp's article, "Why should Republicans support renewable energy?" https://fripov.com/2016/11/30/why-should-republicans-support-renewable-energy/?platform=hootsuite
Our staff attorney and deputy director discuss clean energy in Missouri and ways to get involved.
This podcast discusses the recent encyclical by Pope Francis, and what we should take from it here in Missouri.
This podcast discusses Renew Missouri's recent Missouri Supreme Court win against Empire District Electric Company and what that means for their customers in Southwest Missouri.
Today, on our very first episode, we discuss Senate Bill 142. Thanks for listening!
Music by LONGZIJUN (longzijun.wordpress.com)