City Explores Automatic Meter Readers

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The 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.

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City Council postpones indefinitely IPL Rate Changes

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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.

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IPL presents 2015-16 budget

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Independence 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.

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IPL plans major wind power purchase

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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. 

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Should IPL adopt a fund balance policy?

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Independence 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.

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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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