Renew Missouri is a left-of-center environmentalist organization that seeks to increase the use of environmentalist-approved energy sources in Missouri. It lobbies the Missouri Public Service Commission to require utilities to generate more electric power from wind and solar. It also lobbies the Missouri legislature to enact policies in order to increase the use of renewable energy. It also works to increase energy efficiency.

Overview

Renew Missouri was founded in 2006 to push energy efficiency and wind and solar energy in Missouri. It does this by lobbying the Missouri Public Service Commission to require utilities to invest more in so-called “renewable” energy and energy efficiency. It also works to enact legislation on the state and local level to expand the use wind and solar energy in the state. ¹

Some of the successes that Renew Missouri claims credit for are legislation passed in 2007 that reformed Missouri’s net metering laws. The legislation, called the “Easy Connection Act” allows Missouri residents to connect solar panels or small wind turbines on their property to the electrical grid. The property owners can then sell the power to the utility and receive the retail amount of the electricity credited to their electric bill. ²

In 2008, Renew Missouri was a key backer of Proposition C, a successful ballot initiative that instituted a “renewable” energy standard in the state. Proposition C requires that Missouri utilities get 15% of their power from renewable sources and 2% of that energy must come from solar. The legislation also enacted a $2 per watt solar rebate program to encourage the increased adoption of solar power. ³

Issue Focus

Renew Missouri works on various energy-related issues. The organization works to increase energy efficiency, claiming that it is cleaner and cheaper than producing energy through the power grid. The group works to create incentives with government agencies to encourage energy efficiency for homes and businesses. ⁴

The organization also works to expand the use of solar energy. It does this by lobbying the Missouri Public Service Commission, the Missouri legislature, and local governments to encourage and mandate the increased use of solar. ⁵

It also works through the legal system to expand the use of solar. For example, it sues homeowners associations that try and block homeowners from installing solar panels claiming that property owners have the right to install them over the association’s objections. ⁶

Leadership

James Owen is the executive director of Renew Missouri. Before he became executive director in 2017 of the organization, he was a judge and the state’s public council which represents the public in all matters involving utility companies regulated by the state. ⁷

Andrew Linhares is the senior counsel and regional director. From 2012 to 2017, he was the organization’s staff attorney. He also works with local governments encouraging them to adopt clean energy policies. ⁸

P.J. Wilson was a co-founder of Renew Missouri. He served as executive director from 2006 to 2017. ⁹

Funding

According to the 2017 Form 990, Renew Missouri raised $506,668 and spent $287,613. ¹⁰

1.             “About Us”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/about-us/.
2.        “About Us”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/about-us/.
3. “About Us”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/about-us/.
4. “Our Advocacy”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/our-advocacy/.   
5. “Our Advocacy”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/our-advocacy/.
6. “Our Advocacy”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/our-advocacy/.
7. Wax, Jack. 2019. “Renew Missouri”. Inside Columbia. https://insidecolumbia.net/2019/09/25/renew-missouri/.
8.    “Andrew Linhares”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/profile/andrew-linhares/.
9. “PJ Wilson”. 2019. Renew Missouri. Accessed November 18. https://renewmo.org/profile/pj-wilson/.
10. 2017 Form 990. 2017. Ebook. https://pdf.guidestar.org/PDF_Images/2017/813/229/2017-813229949-0ef45dfa-9.pdf.