Consensus on new utility board emerges
The Independence City Council has reached a general consensus that the city should create a new governance board for Independence Power and Light (IPL).
This is the closet any City Council has come to actually addressing the governance issue after 40 years of community discussion.
The City Council consensus would establish a nine-member utility board largely modeled on the governance structure of City Utilities - the Springfield, Mo. municipal utility.
The governance proposal would involve amending the City Charter which would require a public vote. A simple majority is required for passage.
Our Opinion: Selling IPL does not make sense - Aug. 26, 2024
It makes little economic or practical sense to sell Independence Power and Light.
The sale price for IPL likely would be low.
The process would be complicated.
Critical decisions need to be made.
Google Fiber Plans to Expand to Independence
Google Fiber is poised to expand his high-speed gigabit internet service to Independence.
The major development was announced Friday by Google and the City of Independence in a brief media release.
"Google Fiber looks forward to connecting more people in Independence to high speed, high bandwidth internet,” said Rachel Merlo, Google Fiber Head of Government and Community Affairs, Central Region.
Google Fiber is currently available in the neighboring communities of Kansas City, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Gladstone and Grandview, but not Independence or Blue Springs. - July 29, 2023
Citizen Guide to IPL
This citizen guide was developed by Indy Energy in 2021 to provide information to the community and City Council candidates about Independence Power and Light.
The booklet contains information on IPL finances, power generation, budget, Southwest Power Pool and other topics. Click to download
Go to archive of previous IndyEnergy newsletters
Big Issues and hot topics
Click the title to get information on these “hot topics”
City Council explores new IPL governance (June 17, 2025)
Progress on implementing AMI (June 8, 2025)
The impact of data centers (Feb. 17, 2025)
New management board proposed for city utilities (Jan. 9, 2025)
Can IPL attract a data center (Dec. 26, 2024)
City considers building purchase; Utility Center would move (Dec. 12. 2023)
Firm selected for important IPL studies (invest or sell) (Nov. 19, 2023)
Google plans to expand to Independence (July 20, 2023)
City responds to major power outage (July 21, 2023)
Utility bill change off to rock start (May 26, 2023)
What would IPL be worth if sold (May 12, 2023)
IPL shows $9 million loss for the year (Aug. 17)
IPL will need more capacity as Southwest Power Pool member (Aug. 6)
Gas turbine project effectively dead (June 22)
City Council to vote on $70 million new generation (Feb. 2022)
IPL staff recommends $70 million proposal for new generation (Feb. 2022)
IPL Director lays out energy options (Feb. 2022)
City Council says NO to developer request for Blue Valley power plant to settle lawsuit (Jan. 2022)
IPL reviews proposals for 99 MW of new natural gas generation (Oct. 2021)
Two City Council members want to relocate Rockwood solar panels (Jan. 2022)
IPL rates are highest in the region study shows (Aug. 2021)
IPL owes about $500 million in debt and other financial obligations (Feb. 2021)
Council votes to repair combustion turbines (Oct. 2021)
Outside management report provides critical information on IPL (Aug. 2020)
Important Reports and Documents
Click on the image to get a report or a link to more information
