Power Profile: Craig Redmon, director, Missouri Division of Energy

The energy sector changes rapidly and so should Missouri’s approach to the state’s energy needs, according to Craig Redmon. As the Director of the Division of Energy, he is leading multiple public input sessions across Missouri to engage stakeholders in regional priorities and needs.

The virtual workshops are part of the development of the Missouri State Energy Plan (MoSEP), which will provide a comprehensive strategy to address current and future energy needs. 

“We are taking the Missouri State Energy Plan from a static document to an ever-changing document, just as the energy sector is ever-changing,” Redmon said. Across six regional areas, 750 stakeholders were invited to participate in the three rounds of meetings. “In each of the regionals, we have been having meetings to discover what’s important to them – whether it be new forms of energy, more efficient use of energy, workforce development, etc.”

The first round of meetings showcased what each region prioritizes, with some overlap between regions and across the state – as Redmon expected. The state is working on honing those priorities into initiatives and how they can help bring them to fruition. He theorized that by the time they develop the initiatives, it will be time to start the process again.

“Things change in the energy field very rapidly,” Redmon emphasized. 

The goal for the MoSEP is a commonsense approach to Missouri having the most reliable, most affordable, environmentally safe energy grid. A large part of clean energy is reducing energy consumption, according to Redmon. 

The Division of Energy has several programs designed to increase the efficiency of energy usage across the state. One program provides cost-effective energy-efficient home improvements to low-income households. Another provides loans for various energy-saving investments such as upgrading insulation, lighting systems, and heating and cooling systems.

From an energy efficiency perspective, the division has identified prisons as a place for improvements. Most prisons waste heat and water since they were not built with energy efficiency in mind, according to Redmon. Making improvements would save the taxpayer money and be better for the environment, a “win-win situation.” 

“No matter what form of energy you are using, if you are using less of it, you are doing a better job of taking care of the environment,” Redmon said.

He noted that is one of the benefits of Ameren Missouri’s Smart Energy Plan — It reduces energy use. Redmon was a member of the Missouri House of Representatives when the legislation that made the Smart Energy Plan possible – SB 564 – was passed in 2018.

As a business owner and former lawmaker, Redmon has learned several lessons that have helped him as the director of energy: “One of the lessons I learned early on is that you have to be a better listener than talker because you never know where you are going to pick up a good idea. There are a lot of people out there who are smart and have good input. Always be willing to listen to those folks and be open to new ideas.”