Well, I asked for it, and I’m encouraged to see that the July 14 city council study session included a discussion of wind energy as part of the city’s portfolio of energy generation (skip to 13:45 for the renewable energy discussion).
Points of interest from the presentation: While Missouri has no state-wide legislation that would require municipal utilities to meet renewable energy portfolio standards (RPS), the cities of Columbia and Springfield have passed city ordinances to do just that.
Independence Power and Light operates at a peak demand of 315 megawatts per year. City Manager Robert Heacock introduced (clarified 25:50) a proposal to enter into a 20 year agreement to purchase 15 megawatts per year of wind-generated electricity from TradeWind Energy in Kansas. The electricity would come from their Smoky Hills project in central Kansas. The TradeWind representative claimed that Smoky Hills is the “most energetic wind project” site in Kansas. Some details for the project:
- 508,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year avoided (presumably compared to coal)
- 1,885 tons sulfur dioxide per year avoided
- 1,137 tons nitric oxides per year avoided
- will supply 90,000 homes per year
- Will be online by the end of 2008
This seems like a great beginning for environmental stewardship in Independence. I’d like to hear more, though. What I didn’t hear in this recording was any evaluation of sites in the City of Independence itself, and how they measure up in their potential for wind or geothermal power generation.
While councilwoman Marcie Gragg was astute in asking about political opposition to TradeWind’s projects, what we didn’t get into was any substantive discussion. Is the political opposition among Kansans enough to derail the project (I would certainly hope not)? What are the future opportunities for TradeWind and Independence Power and Light to expand beyond the 15 megawatts per year contract (which is not quite 5% of our annual consumption)?
I’m very encouraged by the proposal, and by Mr. Heacock’s vision for Independence’s renewable energy leadership. Let’s get behind him and push for cleaner energy.
