Independence Power and Light is considering adding another 4mw community solar farm to meet strong community demand for renewable energy from the sun.
The initial community solar farm, which went online in March 2017, is 100% subscribed and there is a waiting list of residential and business customers interested if additional solar capacity is added, according to IPL director Leon Daggett.
Read MoreIndependence Power and Light is one of 110 public power utilities to recently earn the Reliable Public Power Provider (RP3) designation from the American Public Power Association for providing reliable and safe electric service.
IPL received the Diamond Level - the highest level.
The RP3 designation, which lasts for three years, recognizes public power utilities that demonstrate proficiency in four key disciplines: reliability, safety, workforce development and system improvement.
Indy Energy has organized a special community forum at the new City of Independence Utilities Center - the former physician building at the Medical Center of Independence.
The forum will be Sat., March 25th from 10 am to 11:30 am. The utility center is located at 17221 E 23rd St. S. The event is FREE and open to the public.
Read MoreThe Independence City Council received an extensive update presentation on automatic utility meters at it March 13th meeting.
The presentation, provided Independence Power and Light Deputy Director Andrew Boatright, provided an update on where the city utility was in considering switching to automatic meters.
Based on the initial review, the revised report estimated the project costs would drop from $48.8 million to $40.2 million with a nine-year breakeven payback.
Read MoreThe overall operations and performance of the Independence Power & Light are being reviewed by an outside independent party.
The City Council, last December, approved a contract with Management Partners for a broad overview of the city-owned electric utility.
City Manager Zach Walker outlined a comprehensive plan on deferred maintenance and capital improvements in a recent report to the City Council.
The plan includes $280 million of proposed improvements to the city's electric utility.
Read MoreWork on the new city utility center on the former Medical Center of Independence campus is commencing and major project be completed in early 2017.
The ambitious plan converts a former physician office building into administrative offices and customer service center for city-owned utilities including Independence Power & Light.
IPL director Leon Daggett said the building is part of an overall effort to make Independence "one of the greenest cities in the state."
Independence is expanding its purchase of additional wind energy, reached an agreement a new community solar farm and stop burning coal at the two city-operated power plants - Missouri City and Blue Valley.
The new building hopes to meet platinum LEED building standards.
Jason White discussed several energy-related issues during the May 17 public hearing on the proposed 2016-17 budgets.
Topics covered included high rates, energy efficiency, public participation in rate setting and recent developments to diverse energy production including the curtailment of coal at two city-owned power plants.
Read MoreThe City Council is considering whether to install advanced utility meters for city utilities.
The city has an extensive report from West Monroe Partners on the costs and benefits installing an "advanced metering infrastructure" (AMI)
The issue was discussed at the Feb. 8 City Council study session and previously presented to the Public Utilities Advisory Board in December.
The project, if approved, would be implemented over multiple years and costs significant money.
Unilever is pledging to eliminate coal from its energy usage within five years, and derive all of its energy worldwide solely from renewable sources by 2030.
Unilever is the largest Independence Power & Light electrical user and the plant is expanding. In May 2014, Unilever announced a $99 million expansion creating 70 new jobs.
IPL is already realizing some of the financial benefits of changing its membership status in the Southwest Power Pool - a wholesale power market in the central United States in 14 states.
Total IPL operating revenues through September was $43.3 million, an increase of $1.8 million, or 4.3%, over the prior fiscal year.
The Independence City Council voted unanimously to indefinitely postpone changes in IPL rates at its Sept. 21 meeting.
The council action occurred following a public hearing at which several individuals shared opposition to changing a $4.14 minimum monthly bill to a $14.50 monthly customer charge.
The council has taken several months to review and better understand recommendations included a May 2015 rate study done by its long-time IPL rate consultant.
Indy Energy provided the council with several policy recommendations for consideration during the public hearing.
Other presenting included representatives from the AARP, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Eastern Jackson County Justice Coalition.
There was broad agreement on opposing increasing the fixed customer charges as creating financial burdens on low-income, fixed income and low-energy users and discouraging energy conservation.
Others spoke in favor of developing energy efficiency programs, increasing utility assistance and support for providing community solar power.
Read MoreIndy Energy provided a statement to The Examiner for a story regarding the recently announced Clean Power Plan announced by the president Aug. 3.
The Clean Power Plan wants to reduce carbon pollution from power plants with customized goals for states.
Read MoreIndependence Power & Light has presented its 2015-16 proposed budget to the Independence City Council.
IPL Director Leon Daggett discussed major plans and initiatives for the year which include implementing a new utility billing system, developing plans for a new administrative office, developing a community solar farm and planning for decommissioning the Missouri City city-owned power plant.
The budget presentation showed that IPL rates are generally higher than those for the investor-owned Kansas City Power & Light (KCPL) and the municipally-owned Board of Public Utilities (Kansas City, KS).
Both KCPL and BPU may be increasing their overall rates. Daggett said IPL would not be seeking a rate increase.
Read MoreA new rate study for Independence Power & Light recommends major changes in the utility rates structure, projects no immediate increase in base rates for two years and recommends other steps to make the municipal utility more competitive particularly for large commercial and industrial users.
Read MoreMany energy-related developments occurred during 2014 relative to the municipally-owned Independence Power & Light Co. as outlined in a column in the Independence Examiner.
The column, written by Roger Hershey, reviewed developments regarding rates and operations, energy generation, governance, operations and community engagement.
Independence Power & Light (IPL) has a 20-year agreement to purchase Kansas wind power which would increase the utility's use of wind energy to approximately 13% of its total energy production.
This is a major development for the city utility and a growing commitment to generating power through renewable sources.
Economic analysis projects IPL would save $2.8 million over the 20-year agreement based on a 20-year contract with a fixed price of $33.80 per MWh.
The agreement was unanimously approved May 4 by the Independence City Council. The Public Utilities Advisory Board recommended approval.
The wind power would be purchased from Marshall Wind Energy LLC which is owned by RPM Access.
The wind turbines are located in Marshall County in central Kansas.
Read MoreIndependence Power and Light (IPL) is a complex capital intensive enterprise.
To make sure it has sufficient funds to meet its ongoing needs, a 2013 recent rate study suggested the City Council - the IPL governing board - formally adopt an "unrestricted cash fund balance."
The City Council has its own policy for fund balances, but nothing comparable currently exists for IPL.
Read MoreCoal Ash Stories is an event featuring four short films focused on coal ash, public health concerns, related policy, and ways that communities are responding.
The event will be March 16, 7 p.m. at the Westport Coffeehouse, 4010 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, Mo.
Read More
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
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