Columbia considers wind energy from controversial power project
Columbia may purchase wind energy generated in west Kansas, delivered through a controversial transmission line project.
The city’s Water and Light Advisory Board considered a deal to purchase energy through the Grain Belt Express Clean Line Project. The 206 miles of transmission lines would run through Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, carrying wind-powered electricity from Kansas.
The state’s Public Service Commission has yet to decide the fate of the latest iteration of the Grain Belt Express. The commission, which regulates energy companies, rejected the proposal in 2015 amid concerns from landowners affected by the electric poles’ placement.
City ordinance requires Columbia to buy 25 percent of its electricity made from renewable sources. The advisory board considered buying 35 megawatts of power through the Missouri Joint Municipal Electric Utility Commission. The agreement would bring the power from a converter substation in northeast Missouri to Columbia by the year 2021. Utility staff estimated the wind energy brought in would make up 11 percent of the city’s renewable energy portfolio by 2023.
Kevin Kelly, spokesperson for the PSC, said he was not sure when the commission might make a decision on the Grain Belt Express project. He said parties in the case needed to file briefs by April 24. The line would run through Buchanan, Clinton, Caldwell, Carroll, Chariton, Randolph, Monroe and Ralls counties. The line would connect to a substation in Ralls County that converts the power from DC to AC for use in transmission lines.
The Columbia City Council would have the final say on agreeing to a contract with MJMEUC.
