CEO of Express Scripts, George Paz, recently described the Missouri Botanical Garden as “a world leader in the green movement” and “one of the region’s finest civic institutions.” Quite a title to live up to, wouldn’t you say? Well Express Scripts sure does believes in the Garden, because they have partnered with Missouri Botanical Garden by providing the initial investment for 110 solar panels atop the Commerce Bank Center for Science Education (CBEC). CBEC is the new home of both the Earth Ways Center of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the USGBC-Missouri Gateway Chapter.

Here are the facts on the new solar array:

- Each panel is 40in wide, 65in long, and 40lbs
- In total the array covers an area of 3,000 square-feet
- The array works to convert the sun’s direct current (DC) electricity into alternating current (or AC, the type used to power lights, appliances and other electronics) right on the spot
- It will produce an annual 32,000 kilowatt hours of energy (870,000 in its lifetime), amounting to about 5% of the buildings total electrical needs and saving $180,000 in electricity costs over its lifetime
- The cost of the solar panels will be paid back over the next 5 years (leveraging a rebate from Ameren Missouri & federal tax credits)

which means the solar array will…

- Save enough energy to power 4 to 6 homes
- Displace 800 tons of carbon dioxide
- Eliminate 2,500 gallons of gas burned in cars per year
- Preserve 29 acres of hardwood forest

Now doesn’t all that seem worth the initial investment?!

Not only was this new project a great investment, it also serves as an excellent opportunity for education within the community. Deb Frank, Vice President of Sustainability for the Missouri Botanical Garden stated, “We hope that our action will inspire others to seek out ways to increase energy efficiency and utilize solar energy in their own homes and businesses.”

From Left: Bill Barbieri, Ameren Missouri, Marc Lopata, Microgrid Energy, Larry Zarin, Express Scripts,
Deborah Frank, MBG, Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson, MBG

Leading municipalities across the nation are partnering with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to become a Green Power Community (GPC). Green Power Communities are cities in which the local government, businesses, and residents collectively buy green power in amounts that meet targets set by the EPA.

In April, Clayton’s Board of Alderman committed to pursuing the GPC designation by unanimously passing a resolution to embark on an GPC Challenge via a joint effort of the City of Clayton, AmerenUE Pure Power and Clayton-based, Microgrid Energy.

The Green Power Community Challenge focuses on encouraging local businesses, residents, and non-profit organizations to support new sources of renewable energy and reduce the City of Clayton’s carbon footprint. In addition, Challenge events and activities will include a focused renewable energy education effort for Clayton residents and businesses, and in particular, the students in the Clayton School District.

The City of Clayton officially kicked off the Challenge on June 3rd with a luncheon at the Clayton Fire Station. Mayor Linda Goldstein (see photo below) shared several reasons why Clayton elected to participate in the Challenge, joining leading municipalities around the country in becoming an EPA Green Power Community:

“In Clayton, we know today that renewable energy is here, in Missouri, and that it is working. We also know that increasing the amount of renewable energy in the Missouri power pool through the purchase of RECs or installation of onsite solar will reduce carbon emissions and promote local economic development.”

There are two ways that Clayton residents and businesses can help the City achieve the Green Power Community Challenge goal of 670 Megawatt Hours per month:

• Enroll in AmerenUE Pure Power or any other Green-e certified voluntary green power program. Each Renewable Energy Credit represents 1 megawatt hour of renewable electricity generated and delivered to the grid, which means one less megawatt hour of conventional power. Each Renewable Energy Credit also represents the environmental benefit of displacing pollution from traditional energy generation with fossil fuels. And specifically, Pure Power Renewable Energy Credits support Missouri wind farms, which keeps environmental benefits working at home.

OR

• Install an onsite green power system. GPC Challenge partner Microgrid Energy is a Clayton-based business offering a 10% discount to any Clayton business or resident who installs during the Challenge (before April 22, 2011). Each kilowatt-hour of power generated from a Clayton based solar electric system will count toward the Challenge goal.

The good news is that either option supports more local and renewable energy sources. The even better news is that opting for one or even both will help the City of Clayton achieve its Green Power Community Challenge goal.

To learn more about supporting the Clayton Green Power Community Challenge or to find out how your community can get involved – see the City of Clayton’s press release or Ecology webpage or visit the  EPA’s Green Power Community Challenge website.

- Submitted by Cindy Bambini, an employee of 3Degrees and a USGBC-STL Green Schools Subcommittee member, and Rick Hunter, an employee of Microgrid Energy and a member of the USGBC-STL Advocacy Committee.