Climate Resilience Climate change is happening now, and we know there is no single solution. That’s why we’re involved in diverse efforts to speed the transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy and sequester carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Those efforts are as varied as championing new, barrier-busting financial tools and biosequestration in our forests. And we collaborate with partners across the spectrum, from major utilities to private landowners.
ON THE GROUND Financial Tools for the Transition
TNC joined the chorus of backers in support of new legislation that makes it cheaper and easier for utility companies to move toward the energy transition, the shift to more renewable energy sources. The Missouri Electricity Bill Reduction Assistance Act passed in 2021 by a vote of 33-0 in the Senate and 146-1 in the House. It enables securitization, a financial tool that is similar to refinancing a loan. Twenty- five states have versions of securitization for utilities, and the process has been used to retire coal plants and spur development of more sustainable energy, such as wind and solar. Helping utilities close outdated facilities is important for the environment as well as the wallets of consumers, who’ve seen their energy bills drop as a result of transitions in other states.
WHAT’S TO COME Energizing Change
From our home in the central United States, Missouri sits in the heart of the region leading the way on renewable energy projects. To support the rapid expansion, TNC provides guidance and has created tools, such as the Site Renewables Right map, to help decision makers find the best spot for wind and solar power locations. TNC estimates there are roughly 120,000 square miles across 19 states that offer the open spaces needed for renewables while avoiding conflicts with wildlife or important habitats. Estimates suggest as much as 75% of the country’s large renewable energy projects are coming to the central U.S. by 2050. TNC’s ongoing efforts will help make that important work easier and protect vulnerable species, such as migrating birds and bats.
THIS PAGE TOP Wind turbines in northwestern Missouri © Route 3 Films BOTTOM Solar panels over a parking lot © Dave Lauridsen
12 MISSOURI: STRATEGIES & SOLUTIONS
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