project living proof Archives - Metropolitan Energy Center

Tour MEC’s historic, energy-efficient demonstration home, Project Living Proof

Building Performance, Energy Efficiency, Energy Solutions Hub, Project Living Proof

Are you or your small group looking for a way to celebrate Earth Day?

Schedule a tour during April at MEC’s historic demonstration home, Project Living Proof (PLP), that has been retrofitted with energy efficient systems to prove that sustainability and efficiency are possible and affordable, even in older homes.

When: Complete the form to request a time that works for your schedule.

Where: 917 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd. KCMO 64110

Who: Neighborhood groups, businesses, nonprofit organizations, youth, government staff, and anyone looking to create a brighter future for all!

March 30, 2023/by Emily Wolfe

Earth Day 2022

Building Performance, Electrify Heartland, Energy Efficiency, EV, Project Living Proof

April 30, 2022 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm CDT

Celebrate nature, energy efficiency & clean transportation all in one place: Metropolitan Energy Center’s Project Living Proof

We’re marking Earth Day 2022 with a special celebration! Visit Project Living Proof, our 108-year-old home retrofitted with multiple comprehensive energy-saving systems. Check out the latest in electric cars and talk with their owners. Tour natural wildflower and vegetable gardens with the Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City. Or learn how you can save money for years to come on home energy expenses with cost-effective rebates, incentives, and upgrades. There’s something Earthy for everyone, and it’s all in one place on April 30.

With energy prices spiking, there’s never been a better time to consider home energy upgrades. These can be as simple as a weekend DIY project or as ambitious as large-scale whole-house renovations. And if you’re dealing with sticker shock at the gas pump, you’ll want to check the advantages of leaving petroleum wholly (or at least partially) behind. Whether your interests are fixed or mobile, MEC staff and event volunteers will be happy to answer your questions, suggest additional information and show you around the property. Project Living Proof is a unique regional resource and we hope you’ll be able celebrate Earth Day with us.

Project Living Proof is located at 917 East Cleaver II Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64110, just east of the Nelson-Atkins Gallery and west of Troost on the south side of the street. Parking is available just south of the house at the Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center at 4750 Troost (which is also the location of the electric car showcase).

April 8, 2022/by Kelly Gilbert

Join MEC to Celebrate Energy Awareness Month

Building Performance, Central Kansas Clean Cities, Clean Transportation, Electrify Heartland, Energy Codes, Energy Efficiency, Energy Solutions Hub, EV, Kansas City Clean Cities, Project Living Proof

Electric Experience

June 24 @ 9:00 am - 3:00 pm CDT Anita Gorman Discovery Center

October is annually designated as National Energy Awareness Month. The U.S. Department of Energy (US DOE) participates annually with the intent to draw attention to our nation’s electrical grid system and “to highlight the importance of energy to our national prosperity and security.” As the US DOE states, “Energy, our most critical infrastructure, is all but invisible to most, but our focus on continued innovation protects American lives today and ensures better lives tomorrow.”

This year, Metropolitan Energy Center (MEC) will use this truth to draw attention to energy efficiency and how it relates to our infrastructure, including our transportation systems and the built environment. There is indeed innovation happening on a national scale, and it’s occurring quickly. MEC is either hosting, co-hosting, or cross-promoting a number of in-person and virtual events this October to highlight all the ways our nation can modernize the way it uses energy to create a prosperous future for our youth and future generations. Click the links below to learn more about each event and how to participate (more links to come as the suite of events is finalized).

Whether an industry professional or policy maker or technician or a member of the general public, we have at least one event for you. Join us and our members, volunteers and friends during Energy Awareness Month. We’ll celebrate recent achievements and foster accelerated adoptions of energy conservation, renewables and cleaner fuels.

Energy Awareness 2021 Event List:

Native Plant Sale & Drive Electric Week Event at Project Living Proof with Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City	Sept. 25
National Drive Electric Week: South Park in Lawrence	Sept 25
Lion Electric School Bus Ride and Drive: Lee’s Summit Schools	Sept 28
National Drive Electric Week: Driving Electric: Black & Veatch EV Drivers Tell All (Virtual)	Sept 29
National Drive Electric Week: Prairie Village Presbyterian Church	Sept 29
National Drive Electric Week: Independence Chamber of Commerce CANCELED	~~Oct. 2~~
National Drive Electric Week: ICT (Wichita Towne East Square)	Oct. 2
National Energy Efficiency Day (Ask Emily for a model Proclamation for your city, business or organization)	Oct. 6
Marquee Event: Our Best Buildings Yet: A Forum on Energy Efficiency in the Kansas City Region and Beyond	Oct. 7
Virtual Workshop on Diesel Emissions Reduction Funding Opportunities: Midwest Clean Diesel Initiative	Oct. 12-14
Webinar: EV Fleet Trends: Advice from the Experts (hosted by Louisiana Clean Fuels Coalition)	Oct. 13
Marquee Event Day of EVs (In-Person): Exploring EVs in Municipal Fleets with City of Olathe, Indian Creek Library in Olathe, KS	Oct. 19
Marquee Event Day of EVs (Virtual): Electrifying Terminal Trucks: Best Practices and Lessons Learned from Deployments in the Kansas City Region and Beyond	Oct. 19
Our Energy Horizon: A Solar, Storage, Electric Vehicle & Transmission Event, Thompson Barn in Lenexa, KS (hosted by Clean Energy Business Council)	Oct. 25
Weatherization Day 2021	Oct. 30

September 16, 2021/by Kelly Gilbert

EV 101 – National Drive Electric Week – Kansas City, MO

Clean Transportation, Kansas City Clean Cities, Project Living Proof

Enjoy the day by coming out to Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center to learn about electric vehicles. Take this opportunity to talk with owners about their real-life experiences and ask any questions you have about EVs. After, head next door to Project Living Proof for a Plant Sale & Garden Tour.

All attendees and volunteers are required to wear face masks whenever they are within six feet of another person at all National Drive Electric Week 2021 events. Please see this information about how to improve how your mask protects you. For more information, see our in-person event safety requirements.

Click here to register to attend, show your EV, or volunteer for the event

September 15, 2021/by Tami Alexander

Native Plant Sale and EV Display

Project Living Proof

September 25, 2021 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm CDT

Join us rain or shine on Sept 25 for a native plant sale.

Native Plants
Butterfly Station
Garden Tour
Photo Booth
Electric Vehicle Display

Learn about native flowers of Missouri from a Master Gardener, visit our butterfly station, and capture a selfie at our custom photo booth! There is also a display of electric vehicles. We may be able to accommodate small parties with tours of the interior of the demonstration house. If so, masks will be required for house tours. Your patronage supports the work at Project Living Proof, a partnership of Metropolitan Energy Center and Master Gardeners of Greater Kansas City. Here, we demonstrate a green living landscape with the use of native plants and the production of fruits and vegetables, which go to a local food pantry. This event is also supported by the Pilgrim Center and the Prairie and Wetland Center.