Missouri Receives Federal Funds for Energy Program

Energy Secretary Steven Chu announced $22.9 million in recovery act funding to support energy efficiency projects in Missouri. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) State Energy Program (SEP) funds state plans that prioritize energy savings, create or retain jobs, increase the use of renewable energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Missouri has now received 50 percent of its total SEP funding authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. DOE will release the remaining once the state meet reporting, oversight, and accountability milestones.

With SEP funding, Missouri will expand its existing Energy Center program, which includes a variety of home efficiency programs, building energy codes, and education and training initiatives. The funding will go toward encouraging Missourians to reduce their energy consumption by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, industrial facilities, agricultural operations, transportation, schools and local governments. The state will focus on finding energy efficiency opportunities in its five most energy-intensive industries: aluminum, chemicals, food products, metal casting, and forest products including paper. These energy-intensive industries will be examined to determine specific, targeted activities to increase energy efficiency. The state intends to increase industrial and manufacturing energy efficiency through a multi-faceted program that may include energy audits, rebates and low-interest loans, workshops and development of a web-based audit tool.

After demonstrating successful implementation of its plan, the state will receive more than $28.6 million in additional funding, for a total of more than $57 million.

See the original Department of Energy news release here.

Missouri Receives $185 Mill for Weatherization, Energy

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced the award of $43,779,300 for state, county and city efforts in Missouri. This is in addition to an investment of $185,541,027 in Missouri weatherization and energy funding.

The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program provides formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency. The funding will support energy audits and energy efficiency retrofits in residential and commercial buildings, the development and implementation of advanced building codes and inspections, and the creation of financial incentive programs for energy efficiency improvements. Other activities eligible for use of grant funds include transportation programs that conserve energy, projects to reduce and capture methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, renewable energy installations on government buildings, energy efficient traffic signals and street lights, deployment of Combined Heat and Power and district heating and cooling systems, and others.

You can find the full DOE news release here.

Bill Watch—111th Congress

Amended Dec. 21, 2010.

H.R. 1—American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Obama Signs Stimulus Bill
Transportation Secretary Discusses Economic Stimulus Package
House Passes Stimulus Bill
Drinking Water Not Getting as Much of Stimulus Package as Advocates Hoped
Congress to Consider Recovery Bill
Drinking Water Investment Could Create 400,000 Jobs
Drinking Water News

H.R. 537 - Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2009

H.R. 651—Northeast Corridor Rail Tunnel Safety Act
Amtrak May Benefit from Tunnel Bill

H.R. 1145--National Water Research and Development Initiative Act of 2009
House Passes National Water Research and Development Initiative Act
National Water Research & Development Initiative Reported Out of House Committee

H.R. 1262—Water Quality Investment Act of 2009
House Passes Water Quality Investment Act of 2009

H.R. 1682--Bridge Life Extension Act of 2009
Bridge Bill Could Require States to Address Corrosion

H.R. 1770—Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2009
Congress Considers Dam Safety Bills

H.R. 2104--Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects Through Public Inspection Act of 2009
Bill Would Require Surface Transportation Inspections by Public Employees

H.R. 2164—Federal Streetcar Revitalization Act of 2009
Bill Introduced to Bring Back the Streetcar

H.R. 2232
Bill Would Create National Tunnel Inspection Program

H.R. 2521—National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2009
Another National Infrastructure Bank Bill Proposed

H.R. 2707—National Freight Mobility Infrastructure Act
Bill Introduced to Improve, Tax Freight Transportation

H.R. 2847 – Jobs for Main Street Act
House Passes Jobs for Main Street Act

H.R. 2997 - Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
Farm Bill Includes Environmental Funding
Water Roundup

H.R. 3183 - Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act
Water Legislation — recycling, research, efficiency
Water Roundup

H.R. 3202—Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Water Infrastructure Funding Bill Introduced

H.R. 3747 - Water Efficiency, Conservation and Adaptation Act of 2009
Clean Energy and Drinking Water Bills Working Way through Congress

H.R. 3598 - Energy and Water Research Integration Act
Water Legislation — recycling, research, efficiency
Water Roundup



H.R. 3727 - Drinking Water Adaptation, Technology, Education, and Research (WATER) Act
Environmental, Energy Bills Introduced in Congress

H.R. 4202 – Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act
Blog coverage of H.R. 4202 from OpenCongress
Green Infrastructure Bill Introduced

H.R. 5679 – End the Stimulus Advertisement Act
What’s Up in Congress

H.R 5892 - Water Resources Development Act of 2010
Congressional Activity
H.R.5892 - Water Resources Development Act of 2010

H.R. 5897 - Economic Revitalization and Innovation Act of 2010
Congressional Activity

H.R. 5899 - A Roadmap for America’s Energy Future
Congressional Activity

H.R. 5922 - Small-Scale Hydropower Enhancement Act of 2010
Congressional Activity

H.R. 6182 – additional SRF funding for smart growth states
National News

H.R. 6190 - Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2010, Part III
National News

H.R. 6519 – Railroad Hours of Service Act of 2010
111th Congress Wrapping Up

S. 732—Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2009
Congress Considers Dam Safety Bills

S. 841 – Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010
111th Congress Wrapping Up

S. 1318—Axe the Stimulus Plaques Act
Bill Would Axe Stimulus Plaques

S. 1498—Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2009
Senate to Debate Extension of Transportation Programs

S. 1711 - Water Efficiency and Conservation Investment Act of 2009
Environmental, Energy Bills Introduced in Congress

S. 1712 - Water Efficiency, Conservation and Adaptation Act of 2009
Clean Energy and Drinking Water Bills Working Way through Congress

S. 1713 - Water Efficiency via Carbon Harvesting and Restoration (WECHAR) Act of 2009
Environmental, Energy Bills Introduced in Congress

S. 1733 – Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act
Clean Energy and Drinking Water Bills Working Way through Congress

S. 3262 – Sustainable Water Infrastructure Investment Act of 2010
America has Huge Need for Water Infrastructure Improvements

S. 3553 – Permanent Prevention of Asian Carp Act of 2010
What’s Up in Congress

S. 3561 – Green Infrastructure for Clean Water Act of 2010
What’s Up in Congress

S. 3736
Congressional Activity

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee Created

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the establishment of the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee (ERAC). ERAC is a federal advisory committee whose members will report directly to the Secretary of Energy with advice on the portfolio of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). The 19 members selected have experience in a variety of sectors and will bring a range of technical expertise and perspectives to the committee.

ERAC will periodically review EERE's portfolio and provide advice to the Secretary of Energy on a variety of areas including: completion of long-range plans, priorities and strategies; program funding; and any issues of specific concern expressed by the Secretary or the Assistant Secretary for EERE. ERAC is expected to meet twice a year; the meetings will be open to the public. The Committee is being established in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). DOE also expects to organize various subcommittees under ERAC.

The members ERAC are:

Yet-Ming Chiang - Kyocera Professor of Ceramics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Lonnie Edelheit - Senior Vice President, Research & Development, General Electric Company (Retired)
Ira Ehrenpreis - General Partner, Technology Partners
Philip Giudice - Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources
Hal Harvey - CEO, ClimateWorks Foundation
Mark Jacobson - Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director, Atmosphere/Energy Program, Stanford University
Jay Keasling - CEO, Joint BioEnergy Institute and Professor, University of California, Berkeley
Neal Lane - The Malcolm Gillis University Professor, Rice University
Ed Lazowska - Bill & Melinda Gates Chair in Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington
Richard Lester - Japan Steel Industry Professor, Head of the Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, and faculty co-chair and founding Director of the Industrial Performance Center, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kathleen McGinty - Operating Partner, Element LLC
Arati Prabhakar - Partner, U.S. Venture Partners
Stanley Pruss - Partner, 5 Lakes Energy LLC
Burton Richter - Paul Pigott Professor in the Physical Sciences Emeritus, Senior Fellow Freeman Spogli Institute of International Studies, Stanford University; and Director Emeritus, Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
Arthur Rosenfeld - Distinguished Scientist Emeritus, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
Janette Sadik-Khan - Commissioner, New York City Department of Transportation
Subir Sanyal - President and Manager of Reservoir Engineering Services, GeothermEx, Inc.
Maxine Savitz - General Manager, Honeywell/AlliedSignal (Retired)
Mark Stoering - Vice President, Portfolio Strategy & Business Development, Xcel Energy

You can read the original DOE news release here.

Missouri Governor Proposes Moving Energy Division

Missouri Governor Jay Nixon signed an executive order to transfer the Missouri Division of Energy from the state Department of Natural Resources to the Department of Economic Development.

The Division of Energy houses programs related to energy policy, resources, efficiency and education.  Specific program include low-income weatherization assistance, the energy revolving fund and certification of home energy auditors.

The General Assembly may reverse this decision if it acts before April 8 (60 days after the executive order was signed on February 4).  If this does not occur, the transfer will become effective on August 28.

Related post and articles

Executive Order 13-03 (State of Missouri, Feb. 4, 2013)

Gov. Nixon signs three Executive Orders to make government more efficient and effective (Viehman, R., Three Rivers Publishing)

Governor reverses $8.5M in cuts to Missouri higher education (Lieb, D. A., Kansas City Star [Associated Press], Feb. 4, 2013)

Nixon Adds More Money to Higher Education & Shifts Some State Programs (Mahoney, M., 20 Pounds of Headlines)

Nixon announces reorganization of some state functions (Yokley, E., Missouri News Horizon, Feb. 4, 2013)

Nixon moves forward with government efficiency measure (Yokley, E., PoliticMO, Feb. 5, 2013)

Nixon reverses $8.5M in cuts to higher education (Lieb, D. A., Dunklin Daily Democrat [Associated Press], Feb. 4, 2013)

Nixon reverses $8.5M in cuts to higher education (Lieb, D. A., St. Louis Post-Dispatch [Associated Press], Feb. 4, 2013)

State laws that could be affected by the change include

Sections 8.800-8.851 RSMo. –energy efficiency in public buildings

Sections 135.300-135.311 RSMo. – tax credit for wood energy

Section 143.121 RSMo. – tax deduction for home energy audits

Sections 393.1020-393.1030 RSMo. – Renewable Energy Standard

Sections 414.400-414.471 – reduction of state vehicle fuel consumption

Section 640.150 RSMo. – various energy policy, information and education duties assigned to Department of Natural Resources director

Section 640.153 RSMo. – certification of home energy auditors

Sections 640.155-640.219 – various provision related to energy programs, education and funding

Sections 640.651-640.686 RSMo. – establishing the Energy Set-Aside Program fund and an energy loan program

House Passes Energy Bill

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the New Directions for Energy Independence, National Security, and Consumer Protection Act (H.R.3221). Some of the provisions of this bill are outlined below.

Green Jobs- Creates a grant program to train workers for energy industries.
- Creates grants for states to identify job openings in energy industries and prepare workers for them.
- Creates grants for states to make subgrants to nonprofits for training workers for energy industries.

Climate
- Creates an Office of Global Climate Change and an International Clean Energy Foundation within the Department of State.
- Authorizes the U.S. Agency for International Development to support clean and efficient energy technology.
- Directs Department of Commerce to promote U.S. clean and efficient energy technology abroad, especially in India and China.
- Establishes a global climate change exchange program.
- Establishes programs to support research, development and demonstration of carbon capture and storage technologies.
- Establishes programs intended to move the federal government toward being carbon-neutral.

Small Business
- Expands small business loan programs to include loans for energy use reduction and use of renewable energy sources.
- Creates grants for small business development centers to support energy efficiency projects.
- Expands small business investment programs to promote energy savings and provides funding for renewable fuel investment companies.

Research and Alternative Energy- Creates the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy and an Office of Solar Energy Technologies within the Department of Energy.
- Establishes programs to support development of marine energy including research, development and demonstration centers.
- Establishes programs to support development of geothermal and hydrothermal energy including centers for geothermal technology transfer.
- Establishes programs to support development of solar energy.Establishes programs to support development of biofuels including a biofuels information center and authorizes financing for biofuels plants.

Bill Watch - 112th Congress

Amended July 28, 2013

H.R. 1—Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
Continuing Resolution Moves to Senate
House Passes Appropriations Bill

H.R. 7 - American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act of 2012

Congress Debates Infrastructure, Jobs Bills

H.R. 8 – American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012

Infrastructure in the Fiscal Cliff Deal

H.R. 267 – Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2013

Infrastructure & Environment Roundup: Hydropower Bill Reported Out of Committee

H.R. 328 - Safety, Efficiency, and Accountability in Transportation Projects Through Public Inspection Act of 2011
Bill Would Require Public Employee Inspection of Federally-Funded Transportation Projects

H.R. 389 - End the Stimulus Advertisement Act
Still Trying to Axe the Plaques

H.R. 505 – The Balancing Act

In Congress: Balancing Act

H.R. 711 – Highway Trust Fund Reform Act of 2013

Around America: Bills Pile Up While Bills Pile Up

H.R. 765 – Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2013

Around America: Bills Pile Up While Bills Pile Up

H.R. 855 – Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2011
Environment & Infrastructure Bills Introduced in Congress

H.R. 892 – Stop Asian Carp Act
Environment & Infrastructure Bills Introduced in Congress

H.R. 910 - Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011
In Congress

H.R. 935 – Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2013 

News Brief: Bill Would Limit Water Discharge Permitting of Pesticides

H.R. 945 - Streamlining America’s Various Energy Needs Act
Energy Bills Introduced

H.R. 947
Bill Would Authorized Reimbursement to States for International Water Projects

H.R. 952 - Energy Critical Elements Renewal Act of 2011
Energy Bills Introduced

H.R. 1079 - Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011
In Congress

H.R. 1123 - TIFIA Expansion Act of 2011
In Congress

H.R. 1189 – Clean Water Affordability Act of 2011
Bill Would Make Water Project Financing More Affordable

H.R. 1705 - Transparency in Regulatory Analysis of Impacts on the Nation Act of 2011
Activity in Congress

H.R 1872 - Employment Protection Act 2011
Activity in Congress
In Congress

H.R. 2018 - Clean Water Cooperative Federalism Act of 2011
Activity in Congress

H.R. 2055 – Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012
Bill Quickies

H.R. 2594 - European Union Emissions Trading Scheme Prohibition Act of 2011T&I Committee Marks Up, Approves Bills

H.R. 2738 - Water Infrastructure Resiliency and Sustainability Act of 2011
Water News

H.R. 2845 - Pipeline Safety, Regulatory Certainty, and Job Creation Act of 2011
T&I Committee Marks Up, Approves Bills

H.R. 2887 - Surface and Air Transportation Programs Extension Act of 2011
Congress Passes Bill to Extend Transportation Programs
House Passes Transportation Bill

H.R. 2924 – 414 Plan Act of 2011
Bill Would Suspend Requirements for Highway Projects

H.R. 3259 - National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011
National Infrastructure Bank Bill

H.R. 3638 – Act for the 99%
Bill Quickies

H.R. 3680 - Hydropower Regulatory Efficiency Act of 2011
Bill Quickies

H.R. 3864 - American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Financing Act of 2012

Congress Debates Infrastructure, Jobs Bills

H.R. 4348 – Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21^st Century Act (MAP-21)

A Look Back, 112 Congress Passed Transportation Bills

S. 335 – Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2013

Around America: Bills Pile Up While Bills Pile Up

S. 402 – National Infrastructure Development Bank Act of 2011
A Real National Infrastructure Bank Proposal

S. 471 – Stop Asian Carp Act
Environment & Infrastructure Bills Introduced in Congress

S. 630 - Marine and Hydrokinetic Energy Promotion Act of 2011
Activity in Congress

S. 652 – Building and Upgrading Infrastructure for Long-Term Development
The BUILD Act
In Congress

S. 1108 - 10 Million Solar Roofs Act
Bill Quickies

S. 1115 - Green Infrastructure and Clean Water Act of 2010
Activity in Congress

S. 1142 - Geothermal Exploration and Technology Act of 2011
Bill Quickies

S. 1292 - Employment Protection Act 2011
Activity in Congress
In Congress

S. 1343 - Energy and Water Integration Act of 2011
Congress Keeps Rolling

S. 1510 - Clean Energy Financing Act of 2011
Bill Would Create Clean Energy Deployment Agency

S. 1525 – An original bill to extend Federal-aid highway programsPresident Calls for Transportation Funding to Stimulate Jobs Growth

S. 1549 – American Jobs Act of 2011
American Jobs Act

S. 1550 – National Infrastructure Bank Act of 2011
National Infrastructure Bank Bill

S. 1720 – Jobs Through Growth Act
American Jobs Act

S. 1775 - Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act of 2011
Energy Bill Has Unusual Name, Other Energy Proposals

S. 1786 – Long-Term Surface Transportation Enhancement Act of 2011
Congress Passes Bill to Extend Transportation Programs

S. 1795 – A bill related to Missouri River management
Missouri River Priorities Contested

S. 3388 – Sewage Overflow Community Right-to-Know Act

Sewer Overflow Bill Introduced

S. 3626 – Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act of 2012

In Congress

Bill Watch—111th Congress

More Federal Environment and Infrastructure Appointees Announced

Several additional nominations to federal environment and infrastructure posts were announced. Some are described below.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Jonathan S. Adelstein, Administrator for the Rural Utilities Service - Jonathan S. Adelstein is currently a Commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission, where he has served since 2002, and was confirmed to a second term in 2004, where he led efforts to improve rural telecommunications and broadband. Previously, he served for fifteen years as a staff member in the US Senate, including his final seven years with Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), advising him on telecommunications, financial services, housing, transportation and other key issues. Prior to that, he served as Professional Staff Member to Senate Special Committee on Aging Chairman David Pryor (D-AR), including an assignment as a special liaison to Senator Harry Reid (D-NV), and earlier as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Donald W. Riegle, Jr. (D-MI). Before his service in the Senate, he was a Teaching Fellow in the Department of History, Harvard University, while studying at the Kennedy School of Government, and a Teaching Assistant in the Department of History, Stanford University, and as a Communications Consultant to the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He received an M.A. in History and a B.A. with Distinction in Political Science from Stanford University. Born and raised in Rapid City, South Dakota, he and his wife, Karen, have two children, Adam and Lexi.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Lawrence E. Strickling, Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information - Lawrence E. Strickling is a technology policy expert with more than two decades of experience in the public and private sectors. As Policy Coordinator for Obama for America, Strickling oversaw two dozen domestic policy committees and was responsible for technology and telecommunications issues. Prior to joining the campaign, Strickling was Chief Regulatory and Chief Compliance Officer at Broadwing Communications for three years. His private sector experience also includes serving in senior roles at Allegiance Telecom and CoreExpress, Inc. and as a member of the Board of Directors of Network Plus. In government, Strickling served at the Federal Communications Commission as Chief of the Common Carrier Bureau from 1998 to 2000. Prior to that, Strickling was Associate General Counsel and Chief of the FCC's Competition Division. During his tenure at the FCC, Strickling developed and enforced rules to foster competition and protect consumers in the telecommunications marketplace. Prior to joining the FCC, Strickling was Vice President, Public Policy at Ameritech. Before Ameritech, he was a litigation partner at the Chicago law firm of Kirkland & Ellis. Strickling earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School and is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of Maryland with a degree in economics. He serves on the Board of Visitors at the University of Maryland School of Public Policy, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Chicago's Court Theatre, and on the Board of Directors of Music of the Baroque in Chicago.

DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Cathy Zoi, Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - In January 2007, Cathy Zoi joined the Alliance for Climate Protection as its founding CEO. Established and chaired by former Vice President Al Gore, the Alliance is a non-profit organization spearheading a multi-year, multimillion dollar effort aimed at persuading Americans of both the urgency and solvability of global warming. From 2003 until joining the Alliance, Zoi served as Group Executive Director at the Bayard Group. The firm, recently renamed Landis+Gyr Holdings, is a world leader in energy measurement technologies and systems, with operations in 30 countries and revenues in excess of $1.2 billion. Her work focused on the key role of smart metering to improving energy efficiency in markets in North America, Europe, India, China , Brazil and Australia. Prior to joining Bayard, Cathy was Assistant Director General of the New South Wales EPA in Sydney, Australia. She was also the founding CEO of the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority, a $50 million fund to commercialize greenhouse-friendly technology, from 1996-1999. Under her leadership, SEDA launched the world’s first nationwide Green Power program (1997) and the world¹s largest solar-powered suburb (1998). Cathy has served on boards and advisory committees of a variety of companies in the clean technology sector. Cathy was Chief of Staff in the White House Office on Environmental Policy in the Clinton-Gore administration, where she managed the team working on environmental and energy issues (1993-95). She was also a manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency where she pioneered the Energy Star Program. Ms. Zoi earned a B.S. in Geology from Duke University and an M.S. in Engineering from Dartmouth College.

Dr. Steven E. Koonin, Under Secretary for Science - Dr. Steven E. Koonin is currently Chief Scientist for BP, plc, where he is responsible for guiding the company's long-range technology strategy, particularly in alternative and renewable energy sources. Koonin joined BP in 2004 following a 29-year career at the California Institute of Technology as a Professor of Theoretical Physics, including a 9-year term as the Institute's Provost. He has served on numerous advisory bodies for the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Energy and its various national laboratories. Koonin's research interests have included theoretical and computational physics, as well as global environmental science. He did his undergraduate work at Caltech and has a PhD from MIT.

David Sandalow, Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs - David Sandalow is Energy & Environment Scholar and a senior fellow in the Foreign Policy Studies Program of the Brookings Institution. He is the author of Freedom from Oil (2008) and has written widely on energy and environmental policy. Sandalow is a senior advisor to Good Energies, Inc. and has served as Chair of the Energy & Climate Working Group of the Clinton Global Initiative. Previously, Sandalow served as Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment & Science; Senior Director for Environmental Affairs, National Security Council; Associate Director for the Global Environment, White House Council on Environmental Quality, and Executive Vice President, World Wildlife Fund-US. Sandalow is a graduate of Yale College (BA Philosophy) and the University of Michigan Law School (JD).

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

J. Randolph Babbitt, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration - J. Randolph Babbitt, known as Randy, is a partner in the worldwide aviation consultancy of Oliver Wyman. He was the former Chairman and CEO of Eclat Consulting until they were acquired by Oliver Wyman in 2007. Babbitt is internationally recognized as a leader in the field of aviation safety and policy, and labor relations with almost 40 years of experience in the industry. Babbitt began his aviation career as a pilot for Eastern Airlines and flew for more than 25 years. He served as President and CEO for US ALPA, the world’s largest professional organization of airline pilots. In 1993 he served as a Presidential appointee on the National Commission to Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry. In 2008 Babbitt was named by the Secretary of Transportation to an independent review team of aviation and safety experts tasked with evaluating and crafting recommendations to improve the FAA's implementation of the aviation safety system and its culture of safety. Babbitt attended both the University of Georgia and the University of Miami.

You can read the original news releases here and here.

Other recent nominations:Nominations for Federal Environmental and Infrastructure Posts Announced
Ray H. LaHood Appointed Secretary of Transportation
Senate Approves Environmental Appointments

Congress Keeps Rolling

Congress seems stymied in coming us with a budget that doesn’t bankrupt the government, i.e. the one thing it really needs to do. It’s up to a lot of other stuff, though. Here is a taste.

Stare into the Nexus
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM) has introduced the Energy and Water Integration Act of 2011 (S. 1343). The bill would

- Commission the National Academy of Sciences to study water use in the energy sector.
- Direct the Secretary of Energy to
-- Study alternative technologies for water efficiency in energy generation.
-- Develop roadmap for the future of energy-water research.
-- Conduct a comprehensive water and energy savings study.
- Direct the Secretary of the Interior to study energy efficiency in Reclamation projects.
- Fund ground water desalination research.
- Provide grants for water and energy conservation demonstration projects.
- Provided technical assistance related to energy and water efficiency to rural drinking water and wastewater utilities.

Popularity Contest

Witnesses favored the surface transportation bill during recent hearings of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Energy & Transportation News

ENERGY

Missouri Municipal Electric Utilities, Governor Support Power Line Project

Earlier this year, the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) rejected a proposal for a power line that would carry electricity generated at wind farms in Kansas to the grid in Indiana. The PSC’s decision was based, in part, on the fact that no Missouri customers would use the line or the energy it carried.

Clean Line Energy, which proposed the project, has been looking to overcome this object. It has brokered a deal with the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission (MJMEUC), which represents a pool of municipal utilities that pool resources to by power. MJMEUC has 67 municipal utility member and 35 are expected to take part in the deal if it is approved.

In addition, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has expressed his support for the transmission line. In his statement, Nixon emphasized the energy savings and jobs that would be created the $500 million construction project.

The line must be approved by the Missouri PSC. It is likely to be opposed by affected landowners who campaigned against the original proposal. Official in Kansas, Illinois and Indiana have already approved the project.

What Are the Advantages of Microgrids?

This is the second in a series of posts on microgrids. See the previous post for a description of what is a microgrid.

Microgrids have several potential benefits. These include

-backup energy supply and improved reliability,

-environmental benefits,

-exploitation of local and alterative resources,

-increased energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption, and

-reduced cost.

Backup Energy Supply and Improved Reliability

Because microgrids can operate independently of the larger grid, they may be able to continue to operate when there is an outage elsewhere on the main grid.

Environmental Benefits

Microgrids are not inherently less polluting than large grids, but they may afford opportunities to manage energy resources in manners that may reduce pollution. Microgrids may be more easily able to exploit variable or small renewable sources including solar and wind energy. These smaller power supplies may also be able to address local peaks and reduce the need to ramp up production at larger, and potentially more polluting, power plants.

Exploit Local and Alternative Resources

Sometimes local energy resources are available that are not suitable for use on a large grid because they are not sufficiently powerful or reliable. Solar energy, an alternative energy source that is variable and relative low power, is an example of a resource that may be more easily exploited by a microgrid.

Reduced Cost

Microgrids might be managed in a manner to reduce costs. For instance, when prices are high during periods of peak demand, a microgrid might switch to a local power supply that is less expensive. This will also reduce the peak on the larger grid, meaning larger power plants do not have to ramp up production as much or be built to address large peaks.

If you’re interested in finding out more about microgrids, here are some resources to get you started.

How microgrids work (Lantero, A., Energy.gov, June 17, 2014)

What is a microgrid? (Infrastructure Watch, April 23, 2016)

TRANSPORTATION

60 Years of Interstate Highways

President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 on June 29 of that year. Though previous legislation had authorized interstate highways, it was under this act and the Eisenhower administration that our interstate system began in earnest.

Interstates have proven to be a safe way to travel (the fatality rate on interstates is less the rate on other routes).

Even so, the roads are showing signs of aging. Many sections are in poor condition and many bridges are structurally deficient.

Keeping up with the maintenance needs of the interstate system is an enormous task. The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that the backlog if needed improvements totals $189 billion.

Relate Posts and Articles

At 60, U.S. Interstate Highway System is Showing Its Age (Hill, C., Equipment World, June 28, 2016)

Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 (Weingroff, R. F., Federal Highway Administration, June 15, 2015)

Missouri Legislature Fails to Act on Transportation Tax

Though a bill passed in the Missouri Senate, the state’s General Assembly did not act on a proposed fuel tax increase before closing its session in May. You can read more about this issue here.

COMPLAINTS DEPARTMENT

Blogger Considers Career Change

That doesn’t mean I’ll quit blogging. I’ve never made a living (or even a dime) from blogging, and it has always taken a back seat to other things. By day, I’m an employee of a state that pays the lowest wages of any state (even our legislators are starting to complain about it). Maybe I should cross the river and go back to school where I can learn to be a brewmaster, or possibly a vintner. As I recall, looking through the fog of a couple of decades, I did reasonably well in my undergraduate food processing class, so maybe I can build on that.

Energy & Water Roundup

ENERGY

Consumer Group Opposes Missouri Energy Rate Reform Bill

The Midwest Energy Consumer Group (MECG) has come out in opposition of HB2689 (and its parallel in the Missouri Senate, SB1028), which would make significant changes to the way electric rates are regulated in the Missouri. The group claims that the bill would remove the voice of customers from the electric rate setting process and pave the way for regular, uncontested rate increases. The Office of Public Counsel, which officially represents customers in Missouri utility rate cases, expressed concern that the bill might limit the ability of the agency, as well as the state’s Public Service Commission, to review rate increases.

Related Posts

Bill Would Change Electric Ratemaking in Missouri

Senate Passes Energy Bill

The U.S. Senate passed its first major energy bill in a decade. The bill emphasizes development of alternative energy, natural gas, and lesser used sources such as geothermal and hydropower. It also focuses on energy efficiency and safety. The bill will need to be reconciled with the energy bill passed in the House of Representatives, which differs significantly, particularly in its approach to fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Senate leaders are confident they can work out differences with the House and develop a compromise bill that can pass both chambers latter this year.

What Is a Microgrid?

I’m seeing a lot about microgrids in utility publications and on the Internet. I thought it might be worthwhile to write something that could serve as an introduction to the subject for those who are unfamiliar with it, as well as educate myself in the process. I intend this to be the first in a series of short posts on the subject.

Let’s start with the basics. What is a microgrid?

A microgrid is a local energy grid that can disconnect from the larger grid and operate independently. It connects to the main grid at a location where the voltage of the two systems can be maintained at the same level. A switching system can manually or automatically switch the connection on or off.

Though the name “microgrid” implies something small, size is not a defining point. Microgrids are defined by

-local control, and

-functioning both connected to and disconnected from the main grid.

If you’re interested in finding out more about microgrids, here are some resources to get you started.

About microgrids (Berkeley Lab)

How microgrids work (Lantero, A., Energy.gov, June 17, 2014)

WATER

A Little Sewer History

The Guardian posted an article on the Great Stink of 1858 and how it prompted officials in London to improve the city’s overwhelmed system of handling storm water and wastewater. The Thames of that time was a stinking mess of sewage and a hazard to health. The sewer system devised by Joseph Bazalgette was a marvel of the age (and much of it is still in use) that moved wastewater discharges away from the populated areas around London.

You can read this very good article here. If it whets your appetite to find out more about this project, you may also want to read Dreams of Iron and Steel by Debora Cadbury. The Great Stink by Clare Clark is a fictional thriller set during this time that partly takes place in the changing sewers of London.

Obama Nominates Lyons to Nuclear Energy Post

President Barack Obama nominated Dr. Peter Lyons for the post of Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy. Dr. Lyons is currently the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Office of Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy (2009-present).

Previous to this appointment, Dr. Lyons served as a Commissioner of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 2005 until his term ended in 2009. From 2003 to 2005, Dr. Lyons served as Science Advisor on the staff of Senator Pete Domenici and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, where he focused on military and civilian uses of nuclear technology, national science policy, and nuclear non-proliferation. From 1997 to 2003, Dr. Lyons was assigned by the Los Alamos National Laboratory to serve as Science Advisor on the staff of U.S. Senator Pete Domenici and the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, where he focused on military and civilian uses of nuclear technology, national science policy, and nuclear non-proliferation. From 1969 to 1996, Dr. Lyons held several positions at the Los Alamos National Laboratory including: Director for Industrial Partnerships, Deputy Associate Director for Energy and Environment, and Deputy Associate Director-Defense Research and Applications. Dr. Lyons has published more than 100 technical papers, holds three patents related to fiber optics and plasma diagnostics, and served as chairman of the NATO Nuclear Effects Task Group for five years.

Dr. Lyons is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society, and a Fellow of the American Physical Society. He received his Ph.D. in Nuclear Astrophysics from the California Institute of Technology (1969) and his undergraduate degree in Physics and Mathematics from the University of Arizona (1964).

You can read the original Department of Energy news release here.

Related posts and articles:
Federal Energy Nominations
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Advisory Committee Created

BIBLIOGRAPHY

GUIDE TO WATER CONSERVATION

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<Table of Contents

Infrastructure & Environment Review

ENERGY

Ameren Missouri Efficiency Program Ends

Unable to resolve differences with state regulators, Ameren Missouri has let its energy efficiency rebate program lapse. Staff of the Missouri Public Service Commission and the state’s Office of Public Counsel believed that Ameren customer overpaid the cost of the program, and opposed a three-year extension. A proposal from Kansas City Power & Light has been approved, and it might serve as a model for a compromise between the state and Ameren. You can read more about this issue here.

TRANSPORTATION

Bans on Texting While Driving Introduced in Missouri

Bills that would prohibit or greatly restrict texting while driving have been prefiled in the Missouri General Assembly session that started January 6: HB1542 and SB821. Currently, texting while driving is banned for drivers younger than 21 and for drivers of commercial vehicles. You can find more about these bills here.

Bill Would Add Missouri Highway Commissioners

HB1446 would increase the size of the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission from six members to eight. Each of the seven Transportation Department districts would be represented by a commissioner, and an eighth commissioner would be appointed without regard to district residence.

Missouri Legislators Propose Fuel Tax Increase

Two proposals have been floated by Missouri state legislators. One would increase the tax on gasoline by 1.5 cents and diesel by 3.5 cents. Another would increase all fuel taxes by 2 cents. You can find more about these proposals here or here.

As an alternative to the fuel tax, SB645 would redirect 3 percent of automobile sales tax revenues from state general revenue to the road fund.

WATER

Flooded Wastewater Plants Release Sewage in St. Louis Area

Wastewater treatment plants operated by the Metropolitan Sewer District of St. Louis have released millions of gallons of sewage into rivers. The Grand Glaize and Fenton plants were inundated by the recent floods in Missouri. The two plants, which combined treat and average of 20 million gallons of wastewater per day, discharge into the Meramec River.

White House Announces Water Strategy

The White House announced a strategy to the sustainability of U.S. water supplies and systems. The cynic in me suspects that these strategies, programs, and actions were things that were mostly in the works anyway, but someone cobbled them together into a seemingly unified program (you can can get the details here). Even so, we need to take a serious look at our water resources, policies and practices. Good policy that addresses today’s water situation is needed, but sustainable water for our nation will come when we have a culture that values water for the many roles it plays in our environment, industry, health, recreation and almost every other aspect of human life.