For about $1 a person can buy a soda out of a vending machine. For about 75 cents a person can buy candy bar or a pack of gum. For 50 cents a person can invest in the support of the development of wind energy and other renewable energy sources in the Missouri area as well as in the Midwest.
Cindy Bambini, senior Ameren partnership manager, said Ameren UE has created a solution to reduce household carbon emissions that was launched in October 2007, called Pure Power. This program is dedicated to providing Missouri and the Midwest with new reusable energy sources and helps reduce Missouri’s carbon footprint, the amount of carbon-based pollution that results from the routine actions of each individual.
“In almost every activity we do at home, whether we cook, shower or turn on a light, we use electricity,” Bambini said. “The power generated from most power plants in Missouri produces greenhouse gas emissions, specifically carbon. These are indirect emissions, so most don’t realize they are doing it, but in order to generate power you have to burn coal. That is what we do in Missouri and that is where the greenhouse gasses come from.”
According to Bambini, electricity cannot be directed to a specific endpoint, but instead goes into a big pool where it is then distributed to houses and businesses. The Pure Power Program allows Ameren customers to replace the coal generated electricity in the pool with clean power.
“If you sign up for Pure Power, the coal generated electricity you use will be replaced in the power pool with wind energy, and your household gets the carbon reduction,” Bambini said.. “That makes you carbon neutral from the use of electricity.”
Bambini said St. Louis has responded positively to the Pure Power program and hopes the program’s awareness will continue to increase.
“Right now our main customers in St. Louis are the moms who are already recycling, buying local produce, replacing their cleaning chemicals at home with ones that aren’t harmful and just trying to do the right thing,” Bambini said. “Pure Power is just another way to help clean up their carbon footprint at home.”
Bambini and other Pure Power representatives have been working hard to promote the program and create awareness. For the younger generation, efforts are being made to get students more involved. For example, a Facebook group called “PURE Genius: St. Louis High School & College Students for Renewable Energy” was created to increase awareness of the Pure Power program as well as promote renewable energy sources in St. Louis. High school and college students are invited to join the group and help make a difference in reducing their community’s carbon footprint.
“The bottom line is we would get more renewable energy built in Missouri and that’s what we want to do,” Bambini said.
Bambini believes the Pure Power program is just the first step in the development of reusable energy sources, as well as ultimately decreasing the greenhouse gasses electricity causes.
“We really think [PURE Power] is a movement,” Bambini said. “It’s kind of like Crocs; five years ago everyone at Tillman had then, suddenly they’re everywhere. We get a couple thoughtful leaders that understand [Pure Power] and help people understand it and together we can change things.”
According to the City of Kirkwood’s Electric Department web site, about one-third of Kirkwood Residents are Ameren UE customers while the other two thirds receive their electric from the Kirkwood Electric Company. Although the Pure Power program is only for Ameren customers at this time, there are still ways to help reduce Kirkwood carbon footprint.
“Recycling is still huge, walking, riding your bikes and carpooling can help. Every little thing makes a difference,” Bambini said. “You almost have to change your lifestyle a bit, but if everyone did two things each, it would add up and would really make an impact.”