The Renew Gurus

This week, we dive in with University of Missouri international relations professor Dr. Victor McFarland on U.S. relations with the Middle East and how this has impacted energy decisions over time.

Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owen talks about recent solar victories in St. Louis county's Clarkson Valley with long-time solar advocate Frances Babbs

Renew Missouri discusses current conflicts in the Middle East and how this is affecting global energy prices. Featuring guest panelists from Drury University: David Hammons (Visiting Professor of Economic) and Dr. Jeff VanDenBerg (Chair of the Political Science Department, Professor of Political Science, and Director of Middle East Studies).

Executive Director James Owen and Jonathan Kim, a Research Associate with the Energy and Policy Institute, talk about how much of your electric bill goes back to Wall Street and lines the pockets of investors based on a study of utilities all around the country. The conversation takes a particular focus on Ameren Missouri. In a state where bills are rising, learning about where that money goes wil...

Join Renew Missouri Executive Director James Owen as he talks to Fair Grove Fire District Chief Randall Hoskins and District President Mike Strozewski as we talk about the small town's effort to save money by going solar. We talk about electrification, government budgets, and how much fire equipment has escalated in costs over the past several years. It's quite a journey in this conversation and w...

Luke "Skippy" Harbur has been writing songs almost all his life and now will be producing (and starring) in "The Toxic Avenger: The Musical" in Kansas City at the end of the month. He and Executive Director James Owen talk about the show's themes, why art is important in dangerous times, and about the bustling KC culture scene. Check out the show and give the podcast a listen!

What's Integrated Resource Planning and why are groups Renew Missouri so interested in it? We talk with RAP's Alex Antel about the current IRP process, what's going to change as the result of new laws, and what an ideal process looks like for the public. I know this sounds really confusing but we promise it will be an educational and enlightening chat.

Join Renew Missouri's Executive Director James Owen as he sits down with Green Dirt Farm's Sarah Hoffman to talk about sustainable farming, small businesses relying on solar, and the perils facing small ag operations in the modern era. Lots of ground to cover and we go way beyond talking energy as James gets into his farming background as well.

Join Renew MIssouri Executive Director as he talks about Springfield's City Utilities with former Councilmember Dan Chiles. A lively discussion about the future of Missouri's third largest city.

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he sits down to talk with The Missouri Times' Scott Faughn to discuss not only the 2025 Legislative Session but the Special Session called to deal with the Royals' Stadium and St. Louis tornado relief

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he speaks with Kala Homes about the importance of efficiency to home construction and why energy codes should be important to homeowners.

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he talks with the Community Action Agency of Greater Kansas City's Julia Powell on the important role CAA's play in providing energy efficiency measures to our low-income neighbors.

Join Renew Missouri's Tori Cheatham and James Owen as they speak with former Renew Crew member Andrew Linhares about the Energy Burden Explorer tool and how the public - as well as policymakers and lawmakers - can use this to help understand this critical issue

Join Renew Gurus as we talk to EPI's Jonathan Kim about some of the more outrageous items Ameren tries to get ratepayer to cover. The conversation also dives into Ameren's disconnection rate and growing concerns about the price of electricity.

Join Renew MO's James Owen as he talks to Ameren's Rian Heidbrier about Ameren's Community Solar program. We discuss how it works and how you can go solar with Ameren

Join Renew MO ED James Owen as he talks with the Missouri Gateway Green Building Council Clean Schools' Coordinator Deborah Rogers about why sustainability matters in education.

Join Renew's James Owen as he discusses housing policy and energy with the Metropolitan Congregation United's Myisha Johnson

Join our very uncool Executive Director James Owen as he talks to the very cool AY about how sustainability goals and music should mix, about the transformative power of art, and how Kansas City lives up to expectations of social change. Be sure to look up AY's Battery Tour to learn more about his work!

Join Renew MO's James Owen as he talks with KU Law Professor Rick Levy on the overturning of the Chevron case and what's in store for environmental regulations.

Join Renew MO Director James Owen as he talks with co-founder PJ Wilson about demand charges, the war against solar, and why democracy matters in a utility.

Join Executive Director James Owen as he sits down with the always-freewheeling Scott Faughn to discuss the Governor's race, the reproductive rights ballot initiative, and whether Joe Biden drops out of the 2024 race. Politics plays an outsized role in energy policy and utility ratemaking whether we like it or not. Scott can discuss the nuances of every race and candidate as well as anyone in Miss...

Renew Gurus Chats with Emily Wolfe about KC Energy Codes by Renew Missouri

Community solar is a concept embraced by twenty states. But Missouri has yet to jump on board. What's the hold up, and why should anyone care whether we have community solar or not? We talk with Sunvest's Kevin Borgia about the concept and about why the Legislature needs to act.

The public has the ability to change our own laws, but what is the process that and how the Missouri Legislature is trying to limit it? Renew Gurus talks to Jefferson City superlawyer Chuck Hatfield about the current state of IP "reform" and how Renew Missouri might be involved in whether the reform will impact the abortion issue in this state. (Really!)

Join Renew Missouri's James Owen as he talks with Dr. Catherine Robinson about her work to bring democracy to Mississippi's REC Member-Owners!