St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project

Climate Prosperity Project National Leadership MeetingFebruary 21, 2009

St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA)

St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA)

> Chamber of Commerce for 16-county bi-state metropolitan region

> Region’s lead Economic Development Organization

> Mission is to unite the region's business community and to engage dynamic business and civic leadership to develop and sustain a world-class economy and community.

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Involved StakeholdersInvolved Stakeholders> Sustainable St. Louis

> Area Utilities: Ameren and Laclede Gas

> U.S. Green Building Council – St. Louis Chapter

> Local City & County Governments

> Corporations: Anheuser-Busch, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, HOK, Monsanto, Peabody Coal, etc.

> Institutions: Danforth Plant Science Center, Center for Evergreen Energy, Missouri Botanical Garden National Corn-to-Ethanol Center, Washington University

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St. Louis Project LeadershipSt. Louis Project Leadership

> Dick Fleming, President/CEO - St. Louis RCGA

> Tracy Hart, President - Tarlton Corporation

> Daniel Jay, Managing Principal – Christner, Inc.

> Mary Ann Lazarus, Director of Sustainable Design - HOK

> Steve Poplawski, Partner - Bryan Cave

> Eric Schneider, Director of Public Policy Research, St. Louis RCGA

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Opportunities ChallengesHome to BioBelt concentration of plant and life science companies; Battelle Assessment

Fragmented government

8th Fastest growing region for high tech jobs; St. Louis is home of 20 Fortune 1000 HQs

Two states; two federal regions

Higher % of 4-yr college graduates than US and Midwest

Large carbon footprint due to density and reliance on coal for electricity

Proportion of scientists and engineers double the U.S. average

Air quality non-attainment area; old sewer and water systems

Advanced Manufacturing and IT growth makes up for lost manufacturing jobs

Transit system in financial distress

St. Louis Region

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VisionVisionTo Be Nationally Recognized as a Top

Ten Green Region by December 31, 2012

> Improved Air and Water Quality

>BioBelt Home to Renowned Bioenergy Research and Innovative Applications

>Attractive to Young Professionals and “Green and Clean” Tech Businesses

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> Increase energy audits and energy efficiency improvements by area businesses.

> Region-wide recycling and waste management by business.

> Region-wide municipal adoption of U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Change goals.

> Region-wide stormwater and wastewater management programs.

> Expand use of transit, carpooling, and bike to work programs.

> Public Policy Advocacy agenda for:– Funding for water improvement programs– Transit and transit oriented development – High-speed rail

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Green SavingsMoving to Sustainable Business Practices:

Green SavingsMoving to Sustainable Business Practices:

> Become clean coal technology and bioenergy research hub.

– Pursue FutureGen as St. Louis’ “SEMITech”

> Expand Center for Evergreen Energy (CE2) as national clearinghouse for bioenergy research and public adoption of alternative energy solutions.

> Create “S-Prize” to attract entrepreneurs and new inventions to St. Louis.

> Expand Region-wide Green Purchasing Network.

> Promote the use of bioenergy and alternative energy.

> Public Policy Advocacy Agenda for:– R&D funding for bioenergy research – Fuel incentives

St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project

Green Opportunities Creating Sustainable Industries:

Green Opportunities Creating Sustainable Industries:

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> Inventory the St. Louis area “green workforce”.

> Foster strong relationships among “green industry” cluster of companies to attract, share and develop talent.

> Connect K-20 curriculum with math, science, and engineering jobs in environmental industries.

> Engage area unions to retrain to “green” manufacturing jobs.

> Public Policy Advocacy Agenda for:

– Increased job training funds for “green building trades”

– Green building tax credits and construction incentives

St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project

Green TalentGrowing The Workforce:

Green TalentGrowing The Workforce:

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Strategic Planning ProcessStrategic Planning Process> Engage RCGA Board of Directors and Energy and

Environmental Council members in 2009 to identify measurable outcomes of Climate Prosperity Project Objectives.

> Expand stakeholder group to small businesses, education institutions, governments, unions, and trade associations and other civic organizations.

> Implement MIT Sloan School of Management students’ project development framework and systems thinking.

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Future Planning Process for 2009Future Planning Process for 2009

> RCGA Board of Directors sessions focused on St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project and sustainability

> Development of Measurable Objectives by Energy and Environment Council.

> Roll out of Energy Savings Plan for RCGA members in partnership with area utilities.

> Expand communications of RCGA member’s activities on sustainability.

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Regional Competitive AdvantagesRegional Competitive Advantages> Consortium for Clean Coal Utilization and International

Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability at Washington University

> Strong plant and life sciences industry cluster “BioBelt”

> Missouri Brownfield Tax Credit first in the nation; IL Brownfield Municipal Grant Fund.

> Missouri Historic Preservation Tax Credit is the most robust historic preservation incentive in nation.

> $5 billion in investment and 10,000 residents new to downtown St. Louis in past seven years.

> MO Quality Jobs Program attracts companies with high paying jobs.

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Key ObstaclesKey Obstacles

> St. Louis traditionally perceived as “Rust Belt” – manufacturing city. New regional branding strategy repositions region.

> Lack of state or local government resources to stimulate green economy.

> Fragmentation.

> St. Louis Climate Prosperity Project is an “emerging start-up” civic initiative.

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Financing and In-Kind Resources AvailableFinancing and In-Kind Resources Available

> Local foundation potential funding.

> National foundation potential funding.

> In-Kind resources from collaboration with FOCUS St. Louis, Sustainable St. Louis, Missouri Botanical Gardens, and U.S. Green Building Council – St. Louis Chapter, and from 4,000+ RCGA members.

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Broad-Based ParticipationBroad-Based Participation

> Establish RCGA as a “nest” and catalyst for participation on sustainability initiatives.

> Communicate with 4,000 RCGA member companies through RCGA publications, web sites, and e-newsletters.

> Engage the public through stakeholder partnerships and media collaborations.

> Organize public policy advocacy agenda across the region and attract large groups interested in sustainability.

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Advice and Assistance NeededAdvice and Assistance Needed

> Identification of national resources and organizations willing to impact new pilot region.

> Strategy development assistance from Climate Prosperity Project Network (Doug Henton).

> Learning from fellow Climate Prosperity Project Pilots.

> Learning from the Feb. 20 San Jose Strategy.

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