Public Hearing on Master Energy Plan Sept. 6 at 6 pm

The Independence Public Utilities Advisory Board (PUAB) will hold a public meeting on Master Energy Plan which recommends how Independence Power and Light should generate energy for the next 20 years.

The meeting is Thrs., Sept. 6th at 6 pm at the Independence Utilities Center located at 17221 E. 23rd St., Independence, MO.

The public is invited to attend and to provide public comments on the master plan. Get plan details.

Decisions made on the master energy plan will affect long-term energy costs and ultimately rates.

The focus of the meeting is on the master energy plan and not other IPL-related issues.

One major recommendation is to close the city-owned Blue Valley power plant which is inefficient, expensive to operate and generates less than 2% of IPL's overall energy needs.

To replace lost generative capacity, the master plan recommends increasing IPL's ownership in the Dogwood natural gas plant located in Pleasant Hill, Mo. 

Dogwood currently generates about 17% of IPL's annual power needs. Increasing ownership in Dogwood would cost between $14 million (25 MW) to $26 million (50 MW).

This is same recommendation which a 2011 master energy plan made. Nothing was done.

The current master energy plan, as presented, did not address in any detail ways to lower peak demand through energy efficiency, time of use or other options. 

If peak demand could be lowered, IPL would need less replacement generating capacity and reduce outlays to meet peek demand during summer months.

Indy Energy is helping promote meeting which it requested in April.