ST. CHARLES, Mo. – Rep. Bill Otto, D-Maryland Heights, will endorse Byron DeLear tonight to replace him in the House.
Otto is running for congress as a Democrat against incumbent Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner.
Otto and DeLear have worked together on local projects focused on the West Lake Landfill.
“Byron has worked hard to learn the various nuances regarding the radiologically impacted material at the landfills,” said Otto. “It is vital that we have a representative for the 70th [District] that understands the need to make this the number one issue for the local community and region. I believe Byron DeLear is the man for the job. If Byron and I are successful, we will have an opportunity to have every level of government surrounding the landfills working for a safe and permanent solution.”
DeLear has led an environment-focused career as chair and CEO of Energy Equity Funding, which focused on property-based public-private partnerships. Energy Equity Funding is the program administrator for Set the PACE St. Louis (www.setthepacestlouis.com) and A2E2, the Arkansas Advanced Energy Equity Program (www.a2e2.net). DeLear also serves as the chair of the Missouri Association of Accredited Energy Professionals executive board.
“Five years ago I helped pass clean-energy legislation in Jefferson City that is now creating good-paying, American jobs—and these jobs can’t be outsourced,” stated DeLear. “There is absolutely a constructive role for public-private partnership, particularly with revenue neutral initiatives like PACE clean-energy. This is a law that helps folks save on their energy bills, is good for the environment, and in the coming years will attract tens of millions in infrastructure investment for Missouri.”
Otto will endorse DeLear at a campaign event Wednesday evening in St. Charles called “Clean Energy and Labor Come Together to Support Byron DeLear for State Representative.” The event is from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Grand Opera House.
Rachael Herndon was the editor at The Missouri Times and also produced This Week in Missouri Politics, published Missouri Times Magazine, and co-hosted the #MoLeg podcast. She joined The Missouri Times in 2014, returning to political reporting after working as a campaign and legislative staffer.
Rachael studied at the University of Missouri – Columbia. She lives in Jefferson City with her husband, Brandon, and their two children.
