Environmental issues raised at power supply forum

Future environmental concerns, renewable fuels and the possibility of expansion of the Municipal Power Plant were part of the public’s discussion at a Water and Light presentation Wednesday.

A group of about 30 people gathered in the City Council Chambers to discuss options for Columbia’s future electricity supply. Water and Light Director Dan Dasho presented options to the group and then opened the floor to discussion. Many citizens at the forum expressed satisfaction with the city’s current energy program and Water and Light’s commitment to conservation. But the demand for energy in Columbia will exceed the current supply in 2008 due to the expiration of a contract with Ameren UE in 2007 and the city’s projected growth, so the city must plan for the future.

The options the city is considering include different combinations of a power purchase agreement from Ameren, partial ownership of a Peabody Energy plant to be constructed in Illinois and a significant expansion of the Municipal Power Plant.

“My first instinct is that if an effective, efficient and environmentally sensitive plant can be built in Columbia, that would be preferred,” long-time Columbia resident Norbert Schumann said.

Schumann said he believes Columbia residents would appreciate having a low-emission plant in town, especially since the passage of the Renewable Energy Initiative in 2004, which requires a certain percentage of Columbia’s power to come from renewable sources in increasing amounts starting in 2008.

Other citizens stressed the importance of considering the possible future implications of burning coal, such as stricter environmental regulations.

Ryan Kind, a Columbia citizen who works in the energy industry, said the report should include an analysis of the effects a possible carbon emissions tax could have on the cost of running a coal-fired power plant.

“Carbon emissions are equivalent to global warming pollution,” said Wallace McMullen, of the Sierra Club.

McMullen said the city’s plan was overly favorable to burning coal.

“The analysis should include the cost to the people,” McMullen said. “The heart attacks and asthma that are associated with burning coal should be considered.”

Residents also discussed the need for increased energy conservation efforts, the use of renewables and the factors the city would consider when making a decision.

Dasho said the city will consider cost, reliability, environmental concerns and transmission when deciding on the best option. Water and Light has requested a comparison of the environmental impacts of each of the options, he said. Replacing older generators at the plant with a new unit could reduce carbon emission by 50 to 90 percent of the current levels, and the Peabody plant would be among the cleanest plants in the U.S., Dasho said.

City Manager Bill Watkins said Wednesday night’s meeting was a chance to get the dialogue started with the public regarding Columbia’s future energy supply, but no timeline for any decisions has been established.

“With the contract with Ameren running out in 2007, this is a chance to plan for the future,” he said.

Minutes from the meeting and a presentation of the energy supply options are available at www.gocolumbiamo.com.