MEI Impact | Missouri Energy Init
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Update to Missouri Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)

Organized and facilitated a working group to examine statewide ballot measures to alter MO's RPS. Included all utilities, agriculture groups, and renewable advocacy and business associations. This outlined the proposal for changing the state RPS.

2011

Policy Change

Educational Curriculum Training for Teachers K-12

MEI worked with the National Energy Education Project to provide energy-related curricula to more than 100 K-12 teachers in Missouri (60 in St. Louis and 45 in Kansas City). This training was free of charge to the teachers and provided take-home curriculum materials.

2012

Policy Change

Advanced Energy Symposium on Energy Research in the Midwest

MEI hosted a webcast with four top Missouri research organizations to discuss current, energy-related research in the state. Presenters discussed the value of this research and the current obstacles they faced to increase the amount of research in Missouri. 

2013

Event

Ameren Solar Reimbursement Stakeholder Meeting

MEI addressed Ameren users’ concerns with how the company handled its reimbursements under the state RPS. The meeting provided those customers, representing major regional NGOs and contractors, a better understanding of Ameren’s waitlist process and diminished a potentially hostile situation. 

2014

Facilitation

Cost-Benefit of Net Metering in Missouri

MEI worked with Missouri utilities to gather and analyze renewable energy usage and net metering data to determine the impact of net metering on the current regulatory structure and all Missouri energy consumers through a cost-benefit analysis.  

2014

Publication

Set the PACE St. Louis and St. Louis County PACE

MEI bid and won the contract to administer the commercial components of St. Louis City and St. Louis County PACE programs. In 2022-23 MEI took over the administration of both CEDBs and the residential provider filed bankruptcy.

2021

Contract, Economic Development

MoSEP

MEI selected to lead Energy Efficiency and Minerals and Storage working groups for State Energy planning process.

2022

Collaboration, Policy Change

Missouri Infrastructure Bank / MEI PACE Fund

Worked with EIERA, as well as on own to secure federal funds for Infrastructure Bank for Missouri, as well as creating a fund MEI would administer.

2023

Collaboration, Economic Development

HUD Conference

Spoke at HUD Conference in KC re: PACE

2024

Event

Midwest Energy Policy Conference

MEI's annual energy conference starting in 2011. It is dedicated to providing an engaging, thoughtful, and diverse experience. It addresses key energy issues facing our region and country. This conference also provides a variety of opinions for participants to consider, which creates a very dynamic and energetic crowd. This conference garners excellent attendance (between 150-250 attendees) from regional business, academic, government, and public interest communities.

2011

Event

Missouri Collaborative State Energy Plan

MEI designed and successfully worked to engage Missouri in the development of a stakeholder-driven comprehensive state energy plan. Before, during, and after the draft of the SEP, MEI worked to bring stakeholders together to build a balanced, complete plan.

2012

Policy Change, Facilitation, Event

Hawthorn Foundation Members

Created joint membership with Hawthorn Foundation through three Exec. Directors. Attend at least one meeting a year. Making connections to leaders around Missouri.

2013

Networking

Midwest Wind Regional Resource Center

The Center is working to address barriers to wind development in Missouri and throughout the region. MEI is identifying barriers, convening a broad group of stakeholders to determine the best local and regional resolutions to these barriers, and sharing information on wind power through the MEI website. 

2014

Collaboration, Policy Change

Show Me PACE Clean Energy District

MEI was recruited to and subsequently created the Show Me PACE Clean Energy District to serve as a low-cost, transparent, best practices PACE Board to better serve the state’s development and construction community.  In 2017, SMP reached over $10M in PACE financing, and in 2018, SMP surpassed $20M and 10 projects.  In 2019, SMP reached $40M in PACE financing and surpassed $50M in 2020.  MEI’s CEDBs have faciliated $1.5Billion in construction financing through $250M in PACE financing. We are identified as a national leader on PACE policy, construction and administration.

2015

Contract, Collaboration, Economic Development

Solar Energy, Energy Infrastructure, and Energy Efficiency in the Rental Market Publications 

MEI, in collaboration with the Industrial Assessment Center at the University of Missouri, published a white paper titled “Solar Energy Utilization in Missouri’s Manufacturing Sector.”  MEI followed that white paper up with “The Future of Missouri’s Energy Infrastructure: Position Statement of the Missouri Energy Initiative,” identifying key focus areas and providing supporting documentation.  Additionally, MEI collaborated with Columbia Water & Light Utility Services to publish a white paper focused on cracking the nut of energy efficiency in the rental market titled “Unlocking Energy Efficiency in Columbia, Missouri’s Residential Rental Market.”

2019

Publication

CPACE Alliance Administrator Collaborative

Invited to help plan a collaborative meeting between PACE lenders and Administrators.

2022

Facilitation, Collaboration, Event

S&T Tech Hub Bid support

Participated in discussions of need, design and implementation of Tech Hub - NSF Grant

2023

Collaboration, Economic Development

University of Missouri System Energy Policy Certificate Program

Didn't work, but S&T is creating one on own, MU is focusing on topic as well

Facilitation, Education

Nuclear Power in the Midwest

MEI, in coordination with the Holden Public Policy Forum at Webster University and the CAS Energy Coalition, held a Symposium to discuss the environmental and economic impact of nuclear energy.

2012

Event

Energy Economy in the Midwest

MEI hosted this webcast with economists and MARET to discuss Missouri and the region’s energy economy. This webcast provided insight into the structure of our economy and highlighted potential growth areas. 

2013

Event

Co-Leadership of the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA) Statewide Collaborative Meeting

In partnership with the Missouri Division of Energy, MEI organized and facilitated the first statewide collaborative for MEEIA. MEI met one-on-one with the major advocates and interveners of MEEIA to determine their priorities and concerns with the development of a statewide TRM and what they wanted in a statewide collaboration. MEI facilitated the meeting, resulting in a better understanding of the current implementation of MEEIA programs, TRMs, and EM&V protocols. These were the first steps towards formalizing a statewide collaborative. 

2013

Facilitation, Event, Policy Change

Economic Impact of State Energy Plans

MEI analyzed 38 state energy plans and their economic impact. It presents the obstacles and opportunities each of these 38 states have faced over the last decade of state energy plan development. 

2014

Publication

State Energy Efficiency Legislation

Upon request of state representative and downsizing state government committee, MEI analyzed State Energy Efficiency policies and developed legislation the state could implement to help it improve EE in it

2015

Policy Change

Energy Efficiency for Renters and Landlor White Paper

MEI engaged with Columbia Water and Light to draft a white paper on renters energy efficiency along with how landlords can benefit from energy efficiency and engage with their tennants on the topic.

2021

Publication

Energy Storage as an Economic Engine White paper

Drafted Energy Storage as an Economic Engine White paper. This has been used by state economic devlopers, as well as universities seeking grants (MOS&T).

2022

Publication

Mo S&T Energy systems Presentation

Spoke at S&T about MEI and PACE.

2023

Education, Event

Facilitated MEEIA discussion

At the suggestion of Evergy and the request of PSC, MEI facilitated a discussion on the value and cost of MEEIA and a way forward.

2024

Facilitation, Policy Change

Missouri Clean Energy Challenge

MEI organized and hosted a business plan competition for students and early-stage entrepreneurs for a prize and a chance to compete in a regional business plan competition. MEI presented at 10 separate events to explain Missouri’s current energy entrepreneurial makeup, discuss the energy trends in the state, and help new businesses get off the ground.

2012

Event, Collaboration, Economic Development

Missouri University of Science and Technology Microgrid Advisory Board

MEI was selected to the advisory board for its understanding of the energy market in Missouri and its stakeholders. MEI provided input and leadership on developing public-private partnerships with the university to expand and enhance its research project. 

2013

Collaboration, Policy Change

Laufer Symposium Speaker

Spoke at Laufer Symposium, and also helped to identify speakers and topics.

2013, 2016, 2023

Education, Event

Clean Jobs Report

Clean Jobs report came to MEI to help edit the report and to find partners. The report over the years drifted away from our collaboration, but was seen as a way to demonstrate the size of the "clean jobs sector" We stopped editing when they wouldn't take our edits re: EE workers and certain langauge used re: utilities and other partners.

2014

Collaboration, Publication

Midwest Energy Policy Series

MEI transitions the annual Midwest Energy Policy Conference to a three-part series, with events focused on Energy Infrastructure in Kansas City, Energy Efficiency in Columbia, and Energy Economic Development in St. Louis.  By switching to the MEPS we increased attendance from 125 to 250-350.

2015

Event

Missouri Science and Technology Fellows Board

Josh sits on board of MOST as well as sat on advisory board for fellows

2019

Education

IRA and IIJA Collaboration

Organized meetings and connected parties intersted in obtaining federal funding. Participated in PSC efforts to create collaboration.

2022

Facilitation, Economic Development, Collaboration

Onsite Energy TAP Grant

Working with CTAP from UIC to increase awareness of industrial efficiency options, facilitate audits and opportunities in KS and MO.

2024

Contract, Collaboration

LNG, CNG and EV Fleet Vehicles in Missouri Roundtable

The Alternative Fuels roundtable was an MEI-organized and facilitated workshop with alternative fuel organizations and business groups in coordination with Clean Cities Kansas City. Workshop participants identified and discussed market barriers to increasing natural gas and propane-powered vehicles.

2012

Event, Facilitation

Energy Entrepreneurship in the Midwest

MEI hosted a webcast with key entrepreneurial leaders, like the Kaufman Foundation, to share how budding entrepreneurs can take the next step toward their own business development.

2013

Event

Missouri Clean Tech Open

MEI organized and hosted the first Missouri Clean Tech Open, a recruitment event for entrepreneurs to participate in the CTO business accelerator. MEI worked with media, entrepreneurs, state and local governments, entrepreneurial support networks, business leaders in finance, law and business development, and many more to identify 14 applicants for the program. 

2014

Event, Collaboration

Electricity Infrastructure Riders

MEI has published economic and policy analyses of Infrastructure Regulatory Surcharges, analyzing all regulatory incentive surcharges, their relative successes and obstacles, and how they compare to Missouri regulations.  

2014

Publication

St. Louis Regional Energy HUB Business Plan Development

MEI, in collaboration with Susan Leeds of NYCEE and Energy Resources Group, was selected by the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter to develop the business plan for a St. Louis Regional Energy HUB to support the City of St. Louis’ benchmarking ordinance and Building Energy Performance Standard, as well as promote energy efficiency improvements in the built environment in St. Louis County. 

2020

Contract, Collaboration, Economic Development

CHP Grant Work

Worked with UIC on WWTF CHP Grant. Didn’t win or have takers.

2022

Collaboration

MOCAP proprosal

Developed proposal to run MOCAP. It was turned down

2023

Collaboration, Contract

Speaking Connecting Entrepreneurial Communities - MU Extension

Spoke to local economic developers on energy issues and PACE for MU extension event

2023

Education, Event

Energy Solutions Committee--Missouri Economic Development Market Strategies Strategic Plan

MEI was selected as one of 12 groups to participate in the development recommendations for the Governor and the DED for the Energy Solutions Sector. MEI led the subgroup on wind and conducted several workshops, identifying Missouri's obstacles for greater implementation of wind energy.

2011

Policy Change, Collaboration

Seminar Series for Engineering Graduate Students

MEI has provided Missouri with a stronger group of engineers through a seminar series, the Energy Engineering and Policy Nexus, which has been presented at Washington University in St. Louis and the Missouri University of Science and Technology. This seminar provided engineering graduate students with a glimpse into their value in the policy-making process and how that process will likely impact their future work. This continuing seminar series has morphed into the development of a cross-campus, cross-studies energy policy graduate certificate bringing law, policy, economics, engineering, and other students together.

2012

Event, Education

MO PSC Lunch and Learns

MEI supports the Missouri Public Service Commission and its staff by organizing quarterly “lunch and learn” programs at which regional and national speakers on key energy topics present current activities, issues of concern to Missouri’s citizens and stakeholders, and potential actions that might be addressed through regulatory consideration.

2013

Education, Policy Change

MWERC Collaboration

Worked with group out of Wisconsin working to bring hard science research and entrepreneurship together. We discussed collaborations since we offerred policy and networking and they offered the labs.

2014

Collaboration

Involvement in low income multifamily housing support group

This group is part of MEEIA. MEI particiaptes in meetings, but does not lead.

2015

Collaboration, Policy Change

Carbon Capture Coalition

Participated in working group around carbon capture opportunities

2019

Collaboration

Missouri Energy Code Collaborative

Participated in collaborative meetings

2022

Collaboration

Mo S&T Energy Economics Degree

Worked with Melody Lo to support the development of an Energy Economics Degree program at S&T.

2022

Education, Collaboration

NRDC Collaborative Efforts

Worked with Ashok on supporting BEX in KC and St. Louis, Energy Efficiency Policy and more.

Collaboration

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