Columbia city council delays public hearing on solar power project

UPDATE: The Columbia City Council delayed Monday night’s public hearing on the Truman Solar Farm project until its Jan. 22 meeting. City leaders cited concerns that landowners affected by project were not notified of the interested parties meeting.

ORIGINAL: The Columbia City Council will open the floor on Monday night for public comments about a project that will make the city more energy efficient.

In order to keep up with city laws, 25 percent of Columbia’s energy has to come from renewable sources by 2023. The Truman Solar project would help the city get there by generating about 2 percent of solar power for the city.

The item on the agenda is about extending two circuits from the Rebel Hill substation on Rebel Hill Drive and East St. Charles Road to the proposed site of the Truman Solar project on an 88-acre plot of land on I-70 Drive Southeast, just south of Demaret Drive.

According to city memos, the extension could cost about $1.4 million.

Columbia residents can talk about the solar project and the extension at the city council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday.

Council is also expected to schedule a public hearing for potential changes in the city’s water rate structure.