The Metropolitan
Energy Center's mission, when it
was founded, was to assist people
in the Kansas City region to manage
and control their energy use. This
nonprofit organization has evolved
to become a catalyst for community
partnerships focused on energy efficiency,
environmental stewardship and economic
improvement.
The MEC contributes
to the economic vitality and quality
of life of the region. Every energy
dollar conserved through the MEC's
work remains available for investment
in the local economy, creating jobs
and economic well being. The reduced
use of fossil fuels cuts pollution
and preserves a cleaner regional
environment. MEC programs include:
Energy
Education - Education
and awareness have always been
a keystone service of the Center.
The Energy Center has varied
ongoing efforts to provide public
awareness about sustainability,
energy efficiency and renewable
energy. The Energy Center was
host of the national 2003 Affordable
Comfort Conference and has
been named as the host for the
2009 Conference. MEC has
been a sponsor for the 2003,
2004, 2005 and 2006 Sustainable
Homes Tour. Every year
the Center provides dozens
of Home Energy workshops to neighborhoods,
service groups, churches and
others throughout the area. Topics run
the gamet from low and no
cost energy conservation, to
energy tax credits, to whole
house performance, to green building,
and more.
EnergyWorks -
A program providing energy planning
and development services for nonprofit
and public sector. It includes
a low-interest loan fund to finance
improvements. Currently the
Energy Center is focusing on schools
with its Missouri EnergyWorks Program. EnergyWorks
became one of the first Rebuild America
Partners in 1995 and was instrumental
in helping the City of Kansas City,
Missouri start its first energy performance
contract in convention facilities.
Kansas
City Clean Cities -
A program promoting the development
of Alternative Fuel Vehicle fleets
and supporting fueling infrastructure
in metropolitan Kansas City /
Vehicles. Clean Cities
received its designation from
the U.S. Department of Energy
in 1998. MEC serves as
the coordinator of the private/public
partnership which has Missouri
and Kansas co-chairs representing
the greater Kansas City area.
Home
Performance with Energy Star – A
market based program providing
energy renovation in the residential
sector. The Energy Center
coordinates the KC Home Performance
with Energy Star program in the
metropolitan Kansas City area. It
helps train and certify home
energy analysts and contractors
to provide a whole house energy
solutions for homeowners. In
2007 the Metropolitan Energy
Center will be one of the
primary program providers
for an expanded effort taking
place in Missouri, Kansas and
Illinois. The new project
will add more Home Performance
contractors and an Energy Star
program for Qualified New Homes.
Plug-In Hybrid
Electric Vehicle Project – The
Energy Center is lead member
of a consortium made up of the
Kansas City Area Transportation
Authority (KCATA) and the
Electric Power Research Institute
funded through the Federal Transit
Administration to develop and
demonstrate a new electric hybrid
vehicle in a transit setting. The
vehicle is designed and built
by DaimlerChrysler with a goal
of immediate commercialization. In
2006 the vehicle started operational
trials with KCATA and emissions
testing by the University of
Kansas.
Project
Living Proof - The purpose
of Project Living Proof is to
restore a pair of homes in mid-town
Kansas City, Missouri, in order
to create the physical embodiment
and living example of sustainable
living in an urban community.
Project Living Proof will serve
to demonstrate health and comfort
benefits of energy efficiency,
green building technology and
native landscaping. It
will also serve as a classroom
and training center for related
outreach and technology transfer
for the home building/remodeling
industry and public at large. |
