 |
July 22, 2009
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Templeton addresses RCGA Energy and Environment Council on Department priorities
On July 17th, Mark Templeton, the new Director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MoDNR), addressed an overflow audience at the RCGA Energy and Environment Council meeting. Director Templeton spoke about his Department's priorities and how Missouri plans to use federal stimulus funds to improve energy efficiency. Templeton also discussed his enthusiasm for RCGA's Climate Prosperity Project and the RCGA's goal for St. Louis to become known as a "green" region that is home to a vibrant, clean-tech economy.
 |
Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Mark Templeton speaking to the RCGA Energy and Environment Council.
|
On the job since March, Templeton oversees one of the largest and most diverse state departments, which is responsible for protecting, preserving, and enhancing the quality of Missouri's air, water, land, cultural and energy resources. A native of Olivette, he returns to Missouri after four years as Associate Dean and Chief Operating Officer of Yale Law School, his alma mater, and four years as an environmental and energy consultant at the McKinsey & Company (complete biography).
The Director listed four top priority areas for the Department: water quality and quantity, energy efficiency, "greening" the economy, and "leading by example". Calling sustainability an important goal, he believes MoDNR should enforce environmental regulations in the broader context of developing the economy, and move beyond compliance to helping businesses become more sustainable.
Templeton noted that Missouri is now ranked 45th in state in energy efficiency, and that MODNR will develop a State Energy Plan for the first time in 10 years to address that shortcoming. Templeton praised passage of the 2009 Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act, as an important step toward improvements in this area. The new law encourages utility companies to expand their energy efficiency and customer education programs and incentives by allowing cost-recovery through the Public Utility Commission rate making process.
On another topic, Director Templeton noted that under the federal stimulus bill Missouri will receive millions of dollars for weatherization programs, energy efficiency in state facilities, and energy block grants. Missouri's largest cities and counties have already received block grants and weatherization money, so it's up to MoDNR to spread the rest of the grants among smaller communities across the state.
The Council also heard how our regional counties are developing energy efficiency programs using their federal stimulus money. Tim Embree of St. Louis City, Darin Cline of St. Louis County, Greg Prestemon of St. Charles County, and Frank Miles and Marcia Lochmann of Madison County each described their county's efforts to use federal stimulus funds to reduce energy usage and develop comprehensive strategies to reduce greenhouse gasses, educate their communities on energy efficiency, and stimulate clean-tech job growth.
The RCGA Energy and Environmental Council, chaired by Steve Poplawski of Bryan Cave, meets bi-monthly and hosts informative seminars on energy efficiency and sustainability throughout the year. If you are interested in participating in their activities, please contact Eric Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org or (314) 444-1148.
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of four RCGA strategic initiatives , The St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project advances the principle that innovation, efficiency and conservation in the use and reuse of resources will increase the employment, income, productivity and competitiveness of a region.
The Project is based on three concepts: green savings, green opportunities and green talent.
Green savings is the money that stays in the community through reduced energy consumption.
Green opportunities are the new businesses and products generated from clean-tech discoveries and use.
Green talent is the workforce needed to support a regional clean-tech economy.
Regional outcomes from the Project will include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy and financial savings, expanded business opportunities and growth in green talent and jobs.
St. Louis is one of 8 pilot sites for Climate Prosperity, Inc., a national initiative, with similar purposes.
Throughout 2009, the RCGA will lead programs and events to encourage sustainability activities at member companies.
For more information on the St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project, contact Eric Schneider at eschneider@stlrcga.org or (314) 444-1148.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Focus on Illinois: Governor Quinn signs Capital Bill, Includes funding for key projects in Southwestern Illinois
On July 13th, Governor Pat Quinn signed the Illinois JobsNow bill, the State's first capital bill in 10 years. The $31 billion capital bill directs money for roads and bridges, high-speed rail, levees, transit, and new buildings at higher education institutions and school districts. The bonds for these projects will be paid through increased driver licenses and registration fees, increased taxes on wine, beer and spirits, elimination of the sales tax exemption for soft drinks, candy and personal hygiene products and a new tax on video poker.
Passage of the capital bill was a top priority for the St. Louis RCGA to improve the transportation and educational infrastructure of our region. Topping the list of regional needs was $79 million for construction of a new science building on the SIU-Edwardsville campus. The new building will have state of the art laboratory space and classrooms to help train our region's scientific workforce. The capital bill also includes funding to develop a high-speed rail corridor between St. Louis and Chicago. Last month Governor Quinn and Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed a memorandum of understanding to go forward with this vital transportation connection. Regional road projects, brownfield programs, and levees also receive funding from the capital bill (see sidebar). For a complete list of projects for the Metro East click here.
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned their special session last week with passage of a $26 billion operating budget for FY 2010. The new budget is based on $6.7 billion worth of borrowing ($3.5 billion from the state pension plan and $3.2 billion from delaying state payments to vendors and providers). The General Assembly also authorized Governor Quinn to make nearly $2 billion in budget cuts. In addition, state workers will be furloughed for 12 days to reduce state spending. Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) told the media that lawmakers will once again have to consider raising taxes by early next calendar year to address the impending deficit for fiscal year 2011.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Missouri Joint Committee on Tax Policy Reviews Entrepreneurial Tax Credits
The Missouri Joint Committee on Tax Policy met in Kansas City on July 14th to review a suite of tax credits that are intended to encourage entrepreneurial growth. The Missouri Legislature at one time established a Capital Tax Credit, Certified Capital Tax Credit, Seed Capital Tax Credit, New Enterprise Creation Tax Credit and Research Tax Credit. However, all these tax credit programs have expired or reached their statutory limit.
The Committee, chaired by Senator Brad Lager (R-Savannah) heard testimony from entrepreneurs who stressed the need to create an Angel Tax Credit in Missouri. Currently, Kansas, Iowa, Oklahoma and 15 other states have such tax credit programs to stimulate early seed investments. Kansas City investors and entrepreneurs explained that start-up companies, born by Missourians, often locate across the border in Kansas to take advantage of that state's angel tax credit program. The Angel Tax Credit is one of the major components of the RCGA's "Grow Me State" Initiative, a plan to help close the capital formation gap between Missouri and neighboring states. Currently, Missouri spends only $0.10 per capita on capital formation activities compared to $2.79 in its border states.
The Joint Committee on Tax Policy will also hold hearings on tax credits throughout the summer and fall. Next on their agenda is a review of Community Development Tax Credits, Insurance and Financial Tax Credits and the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax. The Committee will come to St. Louis on October 20th for a review of business recruitment tax credits, such as Enterprise Zones, Missouri BUILD, Development Use Tax Credit, Rebuilding Communities Tax Credit, and the Film Production Tax Credit. Their report on these tax credits will be issued in December. For more information on the Missouri Joint Committee on Tax Policy click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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 Public Policy Research ~ (314) 444-1148 ~ eschneider@stlrcga.org
Kevin Riggs ~ Director of Illinois Government Affairs ~ (314) 444-1108 ~ kriggs@stlrcga.org
Christine Snively ~ Project Manager of Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1144 ~ csnively@stlrcga.org
Sherri Bailey ~ Executive Assistant for Public Policy ~ (314) 444-1134 ~ sbailey@stlrcga.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
