Sustainability
Kansas City Exceeds Need for Electricians as Green Energy Grows
Naomi Alexander spent two years studying accounting at Missouri Southern State University before deciding it was not the right path for her. When her father, a lifelong sprinkler fitter, suggested she consider a trade career, he “lit a fire” in her, she said. After doing some research, Alexander enrolled in the Missouri Apprentice Ready Program,…
Trash to Treasure: Blue River Facility Will Turn Solid Waste into Natural Gas and Fertilizer
Kansas City is building a new $140 million Blue River Biosolids Facility designed to more efficiently convert solid waste into natural gas and fertilizer.
Farm to Trouble: Drainage Tile Drives Nutrient Pollution
Agricultural drainage tile, used by farmers to increase crop yields, is a main contributor to excess nutrient runoff in Mississippi River basin waterways.
Kansas City Strikes Out on Big Bid for Sustainability Funds
The Kansas City area won’t get any of nearly $200 million it sought as part of a nationwide competition for $4.3 billion in federal sustainability grants.
Kansas City Home Builders Push Back on Energy Efficiency Rules, Blame Them for Housing Crunch
Homebuilders say Kansas City’s energy efficiency standards hinder housing construction and increase costs. Environmentalists say they combat climate change.
Farm to Trouble: Could the Mississippi River Benefit from This Strategy to Improve Water Quality?
A Chesapeake Bay program could be a model for the Mississippi River as it deals with runoff that fouls water and contributes to a dead zone off the Gulf Coast.
Beating the Heat: Help for Households Without Air Conditioning
More than 10,000 Kansas City area households have no air conditioning, and many others struggle to maintain their units. Here are some programs that can help.
As Landfills Approach Capacity, Upcycling Gains Momentum
As Kansas City area landfills approach full capacity, more people are embracing upcycling as a sustainability strategic to divert waste.
Farm to Trouble: Mississippi River Basin Farm Runoff Pollutes Upstream Waters
Worsening local effects on health and recreation in Midwest states are spurring action on problems that also cause the Gulf of Mexico’s chronic “dead zone.”
Farm to Trouble: At the Mouth of the Mississippi, Louisiana Bears the Burden of Upstream Runoff
A dead zone at the mouth of the Mississippi River in Louisiana caused by runoff from farms up river will be nearly twice as large this year as in 2023.