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February 17, 2010

IN THIS ISSUE:

U.S. Senator Kit Bond Addresses RCGA
Sign-Up by Feb. 28^th for the Green Business Challenge!
Governor Quinn Delays Illinois Budget Address
Renewable Energy Discussed
Ford Hosts Legislative Breakfast in Jefferson City
Upcoming Events

U.S. Senator Kit Bond Kicks Off RCGA's 2010 Public Policy Speakers Series

On February 5^th U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-Missouri) spoke to more than 100 RCGA members in the first of our 2010 Public Policy Speakers Series presentations. Sen. Bond expressed concern about the high unemployment rate and the tight credit markets, and urged Congress to continue to focus on jobs, infrastructure and education to spur economic development. He praised St. Louis for being a leader in biotechnology and financial services, and acknowledged the RCGA's efforts to help lead such regional projects as the revitalization of downtown St. Louis and the new Mississippi River Bridge.

Sen. Bond also expressed strong support for the Midwest China Hub. For the past two years he has been actively involved with the federal, state and regional effort to establish St. Louis as a hub for transportation and commerce between China and the Midwest. Bond stated that the hub would help increase exports of Missouri products to China, thus creating new jobs and new export opportunities for regional businesses.

U.S. Senator Kit Bond dicusses issues facing Congress.

Senator Bond also stressed the importance of investing in education to prepare Missourians for the jobs of the future, which will require higher-level skills than in the past. He praised many RCGA business leaders for their advocacy of local universities, community colleges and public schools. He also emphasized the value of early childhood education programs, such as the Parents as Teachers program he created while Missouri governor.

Senator Bond speaks to a packed house at the RCGA's Regional Collaboration Center.

RCGA Companies Stepping Up to the St. Louis Green Business Challenge -- still time to enroll!

The RCGA's St. Louis Green Business Challenge kicked off on February 11^th with more than 30 RCGA charter member companies joining together to help move the St. Louis forward to a greener and more prosperous economy. The Challenge inspires companies to become more sustainable in the areas of energy efficiency, waste and water reduction, improved indoor air quality, cleaner transportation and outreach. Participating companies will complete a scorecard throughout the year that measures their accomplishments in these areas. The kick-off event starts a monthly seminar series for Challenge participants to learn about "greening" their business operations and share sustainability accomplishments.

Tracy Hart, RCGA Chair of Energy and Environment and President of Tarlton Corporation, welcomes companies to the inaugural meeting of the St. Louis Green Business Challenge participants.

Glenda Abney and Jean Ponzi of the Missouri Botanical Garden's EarthWays Center led the seminar with a presentation about forming green teams and spreading sustainability throughout an organization and provided a comprehensive list of reports and resources that can guide green teams. The EarthWays Center serves as the Resource Advisor to the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, answering questions and performing site visits for participating teams. Ponzi stressed the importance of green teams involving all stakeholder groups and creating internal partnerships in the company. She also recommended choosing a champion to lead the team and secure management support. The best green teams link sustainability to the corporate mission and raise awareness throughout the organization.

Glenda Abney (left) and Jean Ponzi (at podium) of EarthWays Center, who serve as Resource Advisors to the St. Louis Green Business Challenge, presented sustainability strategies to the charter Challenge participants at the kick-off seminar.

David Bertorelli, Vice President for Corporate Services at Cassidy Turley discussed tenant and landlord strategies for improving sustainability at the workplace. Green buildings earn higher lease rates and greater occupancy, and he expects that trend to improve. Bertorelli recommended that companies review their lease arrangements and work with their landlords on implementing building improvements. The lease arrangements greatly influence the incentives for tenants and building owners to implement long-term sustainable design and construction elements to their site.

The deadline for signing up for the St. Louis Green Business Challenge is February 28^th, but there is still room for more RCGA-member companies to join! A recognition event will be held in November to honor the companies that completed the Challenge and made St. Louis a "greener" region. For more information on the St. Louis Green Business Challenge go to www.stlouisgreenchallenge.com

Focus on Illinois: Governor Quinn Delays Budget Address

On February 11^th Governor Pat Quinn (right) received approval from leaders of the Illinois General Assembly to delay his annual budget address until March 10^th so that the public will have an opportunity to voice their opinion on the state spending proposal.

The legislature passed House Bill 2240, sponsored by Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) and House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), to push back the Governor's speech by three weeks. The Governor will post his budget online on February 24^th so voters can provide feedback, which will be incorporated into the official budget presented to the General Assembly on March 10^th. The State of Illinois faces a projected budget shortfall of $12.3 billion, which is more than 20% of its general fund.

Renewable Energy Research Discussed at RCGA Energy and Environmental Council

Dr. Himadri Pakrasi, the Director of the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES) provided the keynote speech for the first 2010 meeting of the RCGA Energy and Environmental Council. Founded in 2007, I-CARES coordinates research activities in the areas of energy, environment and sustainability at Washington University and across the world. On October 1st, the Center will move into its new $75 million Brauer Hall on the Danforth Campus coinciding with the hosting of the 3rd International Symposium on Global Energy. I-CARES is one of 46 Energy Frontier Research Centers in the nation, and one of only six biology-focused energy research centers. In April, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded $20 million to the Photosynthetic Antenna Research Center at I-CARES to study forms of energy based on light harvesting. The Center also houses the Consortium of Clean Coal Utilization a partnership sponsored by Ameren, Peabody Energy and Arch Coal. Dr. Pakrasi described the world energy demands and said there is an urgent need for developing countries to sustainably produce energy, especially from coal. Washington University's McDonnell Academy for Global Energy and Environmental Partnership is working with 25 universities from across the world on sustainable energy research. For Dr. Pakrasi's full presentation, click here.

Dr. Himadri Pakrasi, Director of the International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability discusses bioenergy and clean coal research with the RCGA Energy and Environmental Council.

The RCGA Energy and Environment Council, also discussed the April ballot measure in St. Louis County to raise funding for the region's transit system, Metro. Tom Shrout, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit, said the ballot measure will seek a 1/2-cent sales tax increase to maintain current operations and to plan for future expansions of the system. The More Metrolink website describes the ballot measure and the need for a strong transit system for St. Louis. Shrout talked about the thousands of people who rely on transit to get to work and showed videos on the importance of transit to the community. If the transit tax measure fails, service to Metrolink and Metrobus could be cut by 50%. The additional funding could provide a local match to leverage federal transit funds for additional Metrolink lines and bus rapid transit. The St. Louis RCGA is a member of the Greater St. Louis Transit Alliance and supports a strong transit system to enhance our region's economic growth and quality of life.

Tom Shrout, Executive Director of Citizens for Modern Transit, tells the RCGA Energy and Environmental Council how a strong transit system benefits the St. Louis region.

Tom Blair, MODOT Assistant District Engineer for the St. Louis Region, and Stephen Ibendahl, Landscape Designer for HNTB, presented the Landscaping Sponsorship Program for the new I-64. The reconstruction of the roadway created some 100 acres of green space at the interchanges and MODOT is looking for St. Louis area companies to sponsor the landscaping and maintenance of those interchanges. The goal is to plant 3,000 trees and 6,000 shrubs and native grasses along I-64 and showcase a "green front door" for St. Louis. For more information on the sponsorship program, click here, or contact Tom Blair at thomas.blair@modot.mo.gov

Stephen Ibendahl, Landscape Desginer for HNTB (at podium) and Tom Blair, Assistant District Engineer of MODOT describe the landscaping plan for I-64.

Roger Walker, Executive Director of Regulatory Environment Group For Missouri (REGFORM) alerted the Council to the funding shortfalls in the air and water programs at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. The air program faces a $3 million shortfall and a similar deficit faces the water program. Legislation will be introduced in the Missouri General Assembly to extend the current fee structure, but Walker said a fee increase is necessary to maintain an effective state permitting program and to avoid a takeover by the U.S. EPA. A working group will be formed over the summer to address the funding situation at DNR, and Walker urged the St. Louis business community to get involved.

The RCGA Energy and Environment Council, chaired by Steve Poplawski, Partner at Bryan Cave, meets bi-monthly to discuss environmental policies and issues facing the St. Louis region. For more information on the RCGA Energy and Environment Council, contact Eric Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org

Ford Motor Company Hosts RCGA's Missouri Legislative Breakfast in Jefferson City

On February 10^th Ford Motor Company sponsored the third RCGA biweekly legislative breakfast in Jefferson City honoring members of the 2010 Missouri General Assembly. The breakfast attracted many legislators from across the state as well as several RCGA Public Policy Council members.

(from left) Reps. Gina Walsh (D-North St. Louis County), Dwight Scharnhorst (R-Manchester), Jerry Nolte (R-Gladstone), and Maynard Wallace (R-Thornfield) were early risers for the RCGA's breakfast.

(clockwise from top) Guy Black and Frank Plescia of Bryan Cave enjoy breakfast with Rep. Shane Schoeller (R-Willard)

(from left) Rep. Stacey Newman (D-Clayton), RCGA Public Policy Council Chairman John Sondag of AT&T Missouri, and Rep. Jason Kander (D-Kansas City).

(from left) RCGA Senior VP of Public Policy Chip Casteel and Rep. Mike Talboy (D-Kansas City), House Minority Leader-Elect.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Feb. 24 - Biweekly Missouri Legislative Breakfast
Join us for our next Biweekly Missouri Legislative Breakfast, sponsored by Bank of America, on Wednesday, February 24^th from 7:00 - 8:30 a.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in Jefferson City. RSVP to Sherri Bailey at sbailey@stlrcga.org.

Feb. 26 - Wal-Mart Index...Is Your Company Ready?
A panel of sustainability experts will present an overview of Wal-Mart's efforts to develop a “Sustainability Index" and about key initiatives that are driving corporate sustainability such as corporate disclosure obligations and marketing opportunities. The panel includes Eric Olson, Sr. Vice President at Business For Social Responsibility and Tony Calandro, Sr. Vice President at Vox Global and will be moderated by John Traeger, Partner at Gallop Johnson and Neuman. This event, which is co-sponsored by the RCGA and Sustainable St. Louis, will be held from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. at the RCGA's Regional Collaboration Center at One Metropolitan Square (211 N. Broadway) - Suite 1300. For more information click here and to RSVP contact Michele Kingsley at (314) 615-6094 or MAKingsley@gjn.com

Mar. 10 - St. Louis Green Business Challenge Seminar on Energy
Learn how your company can improve its energy efficiency from experts at Burns & McDonnell, AmerenUE, Laclede Gas, and Pure Power. The seminar will be held from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. at the RCGA's Regional Collaboration Center at One Metropolitan Square (211 N. Broadway) - Suite 1300. For more information and to RSVP, contact Eric Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org.

The RCGAdvocate is published periodically to inform RCGA members and government officials about important public policy matters at the state, federal and local levels. It seeks to provide timely, in-depth coverage on regional issues, and, at times, to call RCGA members to action. We welcome your comments and suggestions.

Richard C.D. Fleming ~ President & CEO ~ (314) 444-1100 ~ dfleming@stlrcga.org
Chip Casteel ~ Senior V.P. of Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1107 ~ ccasteel@stlrcga.org
Susan Stauder ~ V.P. of Infrastructure & Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1155 ~ sstauder@stlrcga.org
Eric Schneider ~ Senior Director of Energy & Environment ~ (314) 444-1148 ~ eschneider@stlrcga.org
Kevin Riggs ~ Director of Illinois Government Affairs ~ (314) 444-1108 ~ kriggs@stlrcga.org
Christine Snively ~ Director of Government Affairs ~ (314) 444-1144 ~ csnively@stlrcga.org
Sherri Bailey ~ Executive Assistant for Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1134 ~ sbailey@stlrcga.org

One Metropolitan Square, Suite 1300; Saint Louis, MO 63102
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About U.S. Senator Christopher "Kit" Bond

Served four terms in the U.S. Senate representing Missouri (1986-present)

Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee

Senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee

Ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development

Served two terms as Missouri Governor (elected in 1972 and 1980)

Graduated from Princeton University and the University of Virginia (JD)

Born in St. Louis and grew up in Mexico, MO