Monumental changes in society and the economy all have to begin somewhere, often with little notice or fanfare.
Area residents can see the beginnings of what we are persuaded will be, at some point in the not-so-distant future, a seismic shift in the way we conduct our lives and the flow of our economy by taking in the Missouri Alternative and Renewable Energy Technology Center on the campus of Crowder College.
Right now, the center exists mainly on paper. But when construction is complete, it will feature 27,000 square feet of instructional, research and incubator facilities. Director Art Boyt has long been known in the area for his passion for all things sunny and leading his students to the top tier nationally of solar racing. The MARET Center will broaden the alternative-energy mission to include wind and biofuels.
The center will be a source of education, but also provide a safe haven for putting research on alternative energy directly into practice by housing start-up businesses focused on energy-efficient products and services for the market.
The $9.6 million center, itself, will be an ongoing experiment, with solar panels on the roof expected to provide enough juice to power the center's activities and fill 25 percent of the entire campus's energy needs.
Altruism is good, and appealing to the better part of our natures to conserve and protect the environment is part of the plan. But real progress on alternative energy will come when businesspeople and homeowners see that solar, wind and bio can be cheaper and more efficient than traditional sources.
"The market is really right," Boyt says, "with the cost of renewables going down and the cost for energy going up."
We agree. Great changes come from small beginnings, and Crowder is leading the way.
Opinion
In our view: Important project
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