Will this be the new look of Missouri in 2100 after climate change causes Ave Summer temperature to rise 9.84 degrees?
Whats this mean for the Missouri Farmers and Ranchers? Per lessons I learned from the ” Rotational Grazing ” Practices in locations like Arizona that average 15 acres to raise a beef animal, (compared to the Missouri average of 5 acres needed to raise a beef animal). The cost of beef will increase even more since Missouri Ranchers and Farmers will not be able to raise as many cattle per acre.
Still think climate change doesn’t or won’t affect the State of Missouri? What will you eat in the Future when nothing will grow on our Farmlands?
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Because, it’s healthier for the environment and people than pollution from power plants? Because a diverse energy portfolio protects ratepayers from steep rate hikes and fosters competition that keeps electric rates low? Or because installing solar panels and wind turbines creates good jobs that can’t be outsourced and will grow our economy?
Establishing a strong Renewable Energy Standard in Missouri will do all of the above, and more—but we need your help now collecting voter signatures to put this issue on the November ballot.
The deadline is in early May, so don’t wait! Please sign up to attend one of two trainings to collect signatures for this crucial ballot initiative.
Thursday, March 22, 6pm-7pm: Thornhill Branch St. Louis County Library, 12863 Willowyck Dr., Maryland Heights, MO 63146. (Off of Fee Fee Rd. between Olive and Bennington, across from Parkway North High School. We will be in either the main reading room or small conference room).
Midwest has experienced rising average temperatures with the largest warming seen in the winter months.
The growing season has been extended by one week because of earlier last spring frosts and precipitation has become more frequent including increased instances of heavy downpours.
Since the 1980s, large heat waves have become more frequent than any time in the last century.
These effects of climate changeare predicted to continue, threatening the region’s economy, landscape, character, and quality of life.
Midwest has experienced rising average temperatures with the largest warming seen in the winter months.
The growing season has been extended by one week because of earlier last spring frosts and precipitation has become more frequent including increased instances of heavy downpours.
Since the 1980s, large heat waves have become more frequent than any time in the last century.
These effects of climate change are predicted to continue, threatening the region’s economy, landscape, character, and quality of life.
If Missouri began implementing the 2009 IECC and Standard 90.1-2007 statewide in 2011, businesses and homeowners would save an estimated $99 million annually by 2020 and $200 million annually by 2030 in energy costs (assuming 2006 prices).
Additionally, implementing the latest model codes would help avoid about 31 trillion Btu of primary annual energy use by 2030 and annual emissions of more than 2.1 million metric tons of CO2 by 2030.
A 2010 BCAP analysis indicates that the weightedaverage incremental construction cost of upgrading to the 2009 IECC in Missouri would be $875.28 per home. On average, the annual energy savings per home would be $459.00, meaning the simple payback for homeowners would occur, on average, in 1.91 years.These estimates are conservative and represent the upper bound on incremental cost.
During the summer of 2008, the state of Missouri passed a wide-ranging package of energy efficiency initiatives, including homeowner tax incentives and minimum energy standards for state buildings. Passed in the state legislature on May 29 and signed by then-Governor Matt Blunt on July 10, the bill (SB 1181) required the Department of Natural Resources to establish minimum energy efficiency standards for state buildings, based on the 2006 IECC. The Commissioner of the Office of Administration may exempt any state building from meeting the minimum energy efficiency standard requirement for safety reasons or when the cost of compliance is expected to exceed the energy cost savings.
In response to legislation signed in 1993, for Energy Efficiency in State Facilities, a rule was finalized and published on January 26, 1996, with an effective date 30 days later that established “state building minimum efficiency standards.” The rule covered new state buildings (or portions), additions, substantial renovations, or existing buildings considered for lease (when over 10,000 sq. ft.) or acquisition by the state. ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-1989 was adopted by reference for buildings other than single-family and multi-family residential buildings not over three stories high. For single-family and multi-family residential buildings, the latest editions of the Council of American Building Officials Model Energy Code (MEC) or ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.2-1993 was applicable. New editions/revisions to these adopted standards would automatically be adopted by reference and become effective three months after the date of their publication. (10 CSR 140-7, Department of Natural Resources.) No statewide requirements existed for other buildings; local cities and jurisdictions adopt their own requirements.
Due to its history of strong local government, Missouri does not have a mandatory statewide energy code. However, however all local jurisdictions except class III counties have the right to adopt an energy code. As expected, this system creates a sometimes confusing patchwork of different codes throughout the state. Seethis page or see below for more details on local adoption.
Regardless of the system in place, the bottom line is that many jurisdictions in Missouri still don’t have an energy code—meaning that many residents do not receive the benefits of energy-efficient construction.
Missouri has considered adopting a state code previously. For example, SB 745, drafted by BCAP in 2010, would have adopted the 2009 IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007 statewide. It also would have directed DNR to establish an automatic review cycle, either every three years or within nine months of the publication of a new model code version. In addition, HB 938 in 2011 would have established most of the 2006 International Code series as minimum statewide construction standards (the 2006 IECC was not specifically cited, but would have been included via its position as an alternative compliance path to Chapter 11 of the 2006 International Residential Code). Both bills, however, failed to move past the committee stage.
All local jurisdictions except class III counties have the right to adopt an energy code. As expected, this system creates a sometimes confusing patchwork of different codes throughout the state.
It is typical for Missouri communities to adopt codes on a 6-year cycle rather than the 3-year code development cycle for ICC. It is also typical for communities to follow the code adoption of surrounding communities. These adoption practices have developed two trends in Missouri; eastern Missouri communities are generally on the 2003 I-Codes and are moving/have moved to the 2009 I-Codes and western Missouri communities are generally on the 2006 I-Codes and are moving to the 2012 I-Codes.
Code Change Process:
Legislative: In Missouri, only the General Assembly is authorized to enact legislation to establish statewide building construction regulations and/or authorize a state agency to do so. However, there currently is no state regulatory agency authorized to promulgate, adopt, or update construction codes on a statewide basis.
4A, 5A (zones based on DOE’s most recent zoning: zone numbers based on a spectrum, zone 1 represents very hot weather and zone 8 represents subarctic weather. Letters indicate climate type, A-Humid, B-Dry, C-Marine)
New Housing Units Authorized by Permit:
Total units: 13,273
Number of Housing Units by Structure Type:
1 unit: 7,777
2 units: 654
3 and 4 units: 854
5 or more units: 3,988
(2008, Real Estate Center)
Projected Construction Rate:
7,782 dwelling units (-48% less than the previous year), maintaining an average value of $187,000 per dwelling unit.
(2008, Real Estate Center)
58% of the state’s natural gas supply is used for heating the home.Natural gas is the largest consumed source of energy for the state’s residential sector
Residential use of natural gas in Missouri costs up to $12.97/thousand cu ft.
Earlier this year I was asked to replace a leaking roof on a Patio of an Investment Property. The job consisted of Removing the existing Mound City Clay Roof Tiles from the Porch Roof and replacing with Certain Teed 3 Tab-Shingles (Energy Star Rated).
Rather than dispose of the Clay Roof Tiles in the local landfill I choose to “Recycle” the roof tiles and am happy to report that they went to a good home and will be re-installed on future roofs by: “Old World Roofing Company Slate and Tile Specialists”
Mound City Clay Roof Tiles Recycled by Scotts Contracting
While I was at Old World Roofing Company and speaking with the business owner, Mr. Hagerty. We discussed the aspects of his business that has his business backlogged with future projects into 2012. I jumped at the opportunity to discuss and learn the various aspects that have made his business a success. And was thrilled to learn that the things that have made his business a success are the same principles that I incorporate into my small business:
“Honesty and hard work, prompt customer service, keeping the customer informed of the progress on the job, and providing quality work!”
We also discussed the aspects that make the Clay Roofing tiles a Green and Sustainable product. Clay Roofing Tiles-
Clay as a building material is one of the oldest building materials on Earth, among other ancient, naturally occurring geologic materials such as stone and organic materials like wood. Between one-half and two-thirds of the world’s population, in traditional societies as well as developed countries, still live or work in a building made with clay as an essential part of its load-bearing structure.re-posted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay#Clay_as_a_building_material
Clay minerals are typically formed over long periods of time by the gradual chemical weathering of rocks, usually silicate-bearing, by low concentrations of carbonic acid and other diluted solvents. These solvents, usually acidic, migrate through the weathering rock after leaching through upper weathered layers. In addition to the weathering process, some clay minerals are formed by hydrothermal activity. Clay deposits may be formed in place as residual deposits in soil, but thick deposits usually are formed as the result of a secondary sedimentary deposition process after they have been eroded and transported from their original location of formation. Clay deposits are typically associated with very low energy depositional environments such as large lakes and marine deposits.re-posted from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay
In keeping with the Title of the Article: ” Recycling is not just for Cans ” I’d also like to point out that recycling also saves:
“Landfill Space, Reducing the Energy to manufacture new products ie: Reducing Global Warming, and re-using building products in the construction industry will also save you money.”
For Months I have been preaching about Dirty Energy Politics and quoting information I’ve been viewing from http://opensecrets.org yet for some reason I’ve not received many responses to the Article Posts on the Sustainable Building Blogs I operate http://stlouisrenewableenergy.blogspot.com and https://scottscontracting.wordpress.com. So with this post I’ve included everything from the open secrets web site in one easy to use point of reference. As you will see the various lobbying organizations are spending Millions of Dollars Influencing our Elected Leaders.
They don’t speak for me either. So Join me in the battle to reduce Climate Change created by the Biggest Polluters and the Lobbying Organizations that buy off the Politicians in office.
I myself don’t have the lobbying power that these organizations do.
So I took the next best step and joined a movement called 350 and
created with the organizations assistance created a group for St Louis.
I am only one person in the big clog of life and need your help. Use the above links to join me in the fight against the unscrupulous individuals and companies that are polluting the Air we Breath, Water we Drink, and the Land we all depend upon for our daily substance.
This applies to both the Veggies and Meaties
Now on with the promised information about the Lobbying Activities of the Oil and Gas Industries
This industry, which includes multinational and independent oil and gas producers and refiners, natural gas pipeline companies, gasoline service stations and fuel oil dealers, has long enjoyed a history of strong influence in Washington. Individuals and political action committees affiliated with oil and gas companies have donated $238.7 million to candidates and parties since the 1990 election cycle, 75 percent of which has gone to Republicans.
Though former oilmen George W. Bush and Dick Cheney occupied the White House for eight years, the oil and gas industry could not win support for repealing bans on drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. However, Congress voted in 2008 to lift a ban on offshore drilling. These companies are also wary of cap-and-trade climate change legislation, such as the measure Democratic President Barack Obama supports. Yet Obama still received $884,000 from the oil and gas industry during the 2008 campaign, more than any other lawmaker except his Republican opponent, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).
Obama appeared poised to usher in more offshore drilling expansion in 2010 — until the explosion of a BP-operated oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico that resulted in millions of gallons of fossil fuels to leak into the coastal waters of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. The environmental toll has been significant, and industries such as tourism and fishing have suffered. Politically, the Obama administration has delayed plans to expand offshore drilling in many areas, and Congress is mulling whether to pass legislation aimed at avoiding another disaster of similar scope.
In contrast to former President Bush’s largely pro-industry stance on energy and environmental issues, the Democratic-controlled White House and Congress will probably grant these companies fewer favors. Bush consistently rolled back Clinton-era restrictions on commercial uses of federal lands—including nature preserves, national forests and national monuments. To the oil and gas industry’s delight, he got one step closer in March 2005 when Senate Republicans passed a budget resolution containing a filibuster-proof provision to allow for drilling in ANWR.
Oil and gas companies are always among the industries to spend the most on lobbying, pouring $132.2 million into these efforts in 2008 alone.
— Aaron Kiersh and Dave Levinthal
Updated June 2010
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics.
Oil & Gas
Industry Profile, 2010
Year: “) “) “) “) “) “) “) “) “) “) “) “) “)
Total for Oil & Gas: $146,577,043 Total Number of Clients Reported: 195 Total Number of Lobbyists Reported: 788 Total Number of Revolvers: 500 (63.5%)
NOTE: All lobbying expenditures on this page come from the Senate Office of Public Records. Data for the most recent year was downloaded on January 31, 2010.
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center.
Lobbying
Oil & Gas Lobbyist-Client
Total Number of Lobbyists Reported: 788* Total Number of Revolvers: 500 (63.5%)
* Actual number of individual lobbyists. This number may be different from the total number of records as lobbyists may be associated with more than one lobbying firm.
Feel free to distribute or cite this material, but please credit the Center for Responsive Politics. For permission to reprint for commercial uses, such as textbooks, contact the Center.
If these stats and numbers sicken your stomach as much as they do mine and you question as to why our Trusted Leaders are Failing to Listen to the Constituents and failing to enact solutions to the everyday struggles that “We the People” are going thru in our daily lives as we are struggling to fill the gas tank and heat/cool our homes.
I ask myself what is the big deal with stopping Pollution from Fossil Fuels and GHG’s?
? Doesn’t everyone want to be healthy?
Why is it wrong to Protect the Environment?
? Do the Republicans understand that when they cut health care and then Remove Environmental Safe Guards that “We the People” could get sick and then not have any access to Health Care because they have DE-Funded the Programs?
60 percent of Americans believe the E.P.A. “needs to hold polluters accountable,”
75% of Americans favor tougher regulations on pollution in order to protect our air and water
the contamination of our soil and water is the #1 issue for Americans
These are just some of the questions I asked myself. To attempt to learn why the GOP is so Short-Sighted and not protecting the America they say they so strongly care for. I started looking and searching into why the Republicans are voting the way they are.
Through the Power of the Internet (which they are also trying to curtail) I found the Open Secrets Web Site.
OpenSecrets.org is your nonpartisan guide to money’s influence on U.S. elections and public policy. Whether you’re a voter, journalist, activist, student or interested citizen, use our free site to shine light on your government. Count cash and make change.
I Found out who the Top Oil and Gas Contributors were in 2009-2010. In the graph below you will see the Republicans in RED and the Democrats in BLUE and you can see for yourself which party receives the Largest Contributions.
I don’t own a Calculator that will add figures into the Multi Billions of Dollars. What I do know is that if the Oil and Gas Companies have that much money to spend on Lobbying the Republican Party; Then “We the People” are getting screwed over when we pay to fill up at the Gas Pumps.If they weren’t Lobbying Multi Billion Dollars to Buy the Republican Party OFF to vote for Dirty Fossil Fuels and decreased Regulations on GHG’s our/ “We the People” Gas Prices Would be Lower.
I feel this is a personal assault against the Average American and Small Business. We are the Major Supporters of the US Government through the Taxes that are levied against our paychecks and through the Goods and Services we depend on.
Through the News Networks: CNN, HLN, CNBC I’ve learned that the Major Corporations are not paying their fair share of Taxes. So this leaves “We the Average Citizens” paying more taxes to support the “Wasteful Government Spending”
I don’t have a solution but I do know that there needs to be some changes made in the way our Government operates.
Here are just some of the things I do and are planning to do and urge all concerned American Citizens to the same.
I will vote a Straight Democratic Ticket for the First Time in my Life in the Up-Coming Elections. (I don’t agree with many of their views but the Alternative is Worse.)
I have contacted my Government Representatives through this web site and let my voice be heard- I suggest that Every Concerned American Do The Same
Stay Active in the Political Discussions. I post frequent Articles on my Web Sites: St Louis Renewable Energy and Scotts Contracting That highlight the GOP Republicans attempts to undermine and drive the Average American into the Poor House.
Stay Informed on the Issues that are Affecting American and re-peat 2 above. If your Elected Leaders do not know on how you stand on the issues, How will they support your views and Vote on the Issues you Support?
When Listening to the Republicans on TV and radio Don’t let their slick tongues distort the real issues “Listen and Watch“- while reading between the Lines.
Because of the way Lobbying Activities Work in Washington there needs to be additional safeguards enacted to protect “We the Americans” from the Major Corporations who are gaining more and more power, and removing the protections that the Average American Depends upon.
At the national Brownfields conference in Philadelphia, which was attended by more than 7,000 national and local policymakers, engineers, designers, and artists, E.P.A. Administrator Lisa Jackson said Republican members of Congress are trying to cut funding to the E.P.A. and limit its ability to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Jackson said some members of Congress see the E.P.A. as “over-reaching and only out for power.” While this “back and forth is important to our democracy,” the E.P.A. will “continue to do its job, which is to protect the health of the American people, while moving ahead.”
EPA Protecting America and Creating JOBS
EPA Admin Lisa Jackson
Jackson said much of the country is scaling back due to the tough economic times and the federal government “also needs to take responsibility.” However, she believes there’s a “reasonable way to scale back.”
While some Republicans are convinced that the E.P.A. is trying to “grab power” and any attempt to regulate the GHG emissions will, in effect, cost jobs, Jackson said Republicans should just look at the work local communities are doing to restore brownfield sites and see how many jobs are being produced through this environmental clean-up work. Jackson said, “if they could only see the before and after of this vital brownfields work.”
According to a recent poll by USA Today, some 60 percent of Americans believe the E.P.A. “needs to hold polluters accountable,” said Jackson. In addition, some “three-fourths of Americans favor tougher regulations on pollution in order to protect our air and water.” She believes “the contamination of our soil and water is the number one issue for Americans.” If there’s more pollution, we’ll only “see more sickness and more contaminated sites.”
Within the E.P.A., brownfield work is a “point of pride.” Some 17,500 properties have been cleaned up recently, creating 70,000 jobs. Jackson said she would make brownfield remediation a continued priority. She added “brownfield redevelopment can be a part of conservation efforts as well.”
Jackson also highlighted the new sustainable community building block program that is a part of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, which was formed with the U.S. Department of transportation and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Some 32 communities just received grants that will bring in private sector experts to help conduct “walkability audits.” Both large cities and small communities won grants.
Before getting her second standing ovation, Jackson said, “these are challenging times but we need to uphold the environmental laws of this country.”
crossposted Image credit: E.P.A. Administrator Lisa Jackson / DC Streets Blog
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$1,931,562
