Independence will be "greenest utility" in region

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Independence Power & Light director Leon Daggett shared progress by the city-owned utility using more renewable energy in a wide-ranging interview on community radio station KKFI.

Listen to the entire interview segment, which aired on the Ecoradio KC show, in the clip below.

Daggett predicted Independence - if it completes the planned wind and solar projects - will be "greenest utility in the region and Independence will be the greenest city in the region."

IPL is also constructing new administrative building which will meet LEED gold certification.

Daggett also discusses IPL responses to a City Council resolution concerning renewable energy and plans for the city-owned Missouri City and Blue Valley power plants to stop burning coal in 2016.

Read transcript of the interview

Independence considering large solar farm

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Independence is considering construction a major solar farm on city-owned property in northeast Independence.

The news was reported by The Examiner in a front page article which received significant media coverage.

In July, the City Council adopted several goals, including IPL getting at least 10 percent of its power from renewable sources by 2018, and 15 percent by 2021.

The Independence Power & Light received strong interest in a bids to construct the solar farm and extended the bidding period from Dec. 10 to Dec. 23.

The project would be a  10-megawatt solar farm if constructed.

The proposed site would be a 30-acre tract located at Bly and Bundschu roads next to the Little Blue River.

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City Issues Preliminary Report On Renewables

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The Independence City Manager Robert Heacock provided a preliminary report on a city council resolution concerning renewable energy by posting them on the city's website and discussing them at the Dec. 1 City Council meeting.

The resolution called for a report by Nov. 30th on three topics:

  • Design of the remodeled office building for Independence Power & Light to incorporate energy efficiency measures and renewable energy generation;

  • Study the feasibility of renewable energy at city-owned facilities;

  • Study potential incentives and programs which could be offered to IPL customers for the use of renewable energy.

Detailed studies were posted by the City Manager on the city's website. Copies of the three reports are also available here.

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Community of Christ church shares letter on energy issues

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Community of Christ church leaders sent a letter City Council members and church leaders supporting cleaner energy for the community and customers of Independence Power & Light. 

The Nov. 21 letter states: "All of us have entrusted to be responsible stewards of God's sacred creation and bring about peace on and for the Earth - not just for our own generation, but for future generations."

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MARC creates regional solar map

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A new interactive online tool is now available to help the Kansas City region explore potential opportunities for solar.

The new Metro KC Solar Map allows users to look up any address in eight counties in the Kansas City region and view its solar energy potential and provides consumers a starting point in researching potential solar uses homes or businesses.

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Citizens discuss renewable energy options with City Council

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Three citizens encouraged the City Council to consider renewable energy options during its Oct. 20th meeting. 

Addressing the City Council were Winston Apple, David Fyre and Peggy Young.

At the same meeting, the City Council approved a rate reduction for schools, approved changes in the cold/hot weather rule and approved an engineering contract for a new administrative office.

Also approved was a resolution to post the meeting agendas and minutes for several city appointed bodies including the Public Utilities Advisory Board.

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Garland Land appointed to utility board

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Garland Land has been appointed to the Public Utilities Advisory Board for a term through July 1, 2018.

Land replaces Robert Joe Miller, who had been chair of the volunteer board. He has significant experience in public and community health including serving as executive director of the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems.

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Two Missouri communities advance in national energy competition

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Two Missouri communities - Butler and Columbia - are among 52 communities that are quarterfinalists in Georgetown University Energy Prize and have a chance to win the $5 million prize.

The prize challenges small- to mid-size towns, cities and counties to rethink their energy use and implement creative strategies to increase efficiency.

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City council supports renewable energy goals

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The Independence City Council unanimously supported a resolution that contain an aggressive renewable energy agenda, calls for a rate study and curtail ceasing burning coal at the city-owned Missouri City and Blue Valley power plants in 2016.

The Missouri City plant would stop production; Blue Valley would be converted over to natural gas. Both plants are among the oldest in the region and mostly used on a seasonal basis to meet peak demand during the summer.

The resolution, sponsored by City Councilmember Scott Roberson, follows extensive discussion on energy issues in the community and is largely consistent with a 2011 master plan for Independence Power & Light.

Here's a summary of the resolution. Read The Examiner story about the City Council action.

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City council hears about energy issues

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The Independence City Council  2014-15 city budget which includes the Independence Power & Light operations and other municipal-owned utilities.

The May 27 study session presentation by IPL director Leon Daggett highlighted several key developments: plans to switch Missouri City and Blue Valley from coal, plans for more renewable energy and plans to create a "green" administrative office space on the campus of the Medical Center of Independence.

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