Water and Light seeks input on future of Columbia's energy

COLUMBIA — The Department of Water and Light invites the public to give input on the future of Columbia’s energy system at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the City Council Chambers of the Daniel Boone Building, 701 E. Broadway.

Columbia is in the middle of an integrated resource plan, an energy study that takes into account both energy supply and efficiency options for meeting energy needs over the next 20 years.

The city hired Burns and MacDonnell, a Kansas City engineering consulting firm, a couple of months ago to complete the plan.

City Manager Bill Watkins called the formation of the energy plan “the most important decision this community will make in the next five years,” adding that the public meeting is a “good opportunity for the public to hear and respond to some of the base level findings of the project so far.”

At the meeting, a representative from Burns and MacDonnell will give a presentation detailing the considerations it is using to complete the study. Afterward, public comment is scheduled.

The study is due to be completed in early 2008. Another public meeting is planned to review the results.

For more information, click here.