City of Columbia sets new renewable energy goal despite falling short in 2026

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Despite missing its renewable energy goal for 2026, the Columbia City Council unanimously approved a new plan Monday that aims to provide 40% of the city's electricity from renewable resources by 2035.

According to the report, City of Columbia Utilities purchased or generated a little under 285,00 megawatts of its total electric usage through renewable energy sources last year, around 22.57% of Columbia’s adjusted system load.

The city had set a goal to provide 25% of its energy through renewable sources by 2026 and currently estimates around 23.5% of the city's electricity is renewable.

The City of Columbia also reported in 2025 that around 18% of its energy came from wind power, around 3% from the landfill's natural gas production and around 2% from solar power.

In planning for the future, the city is seeking more affordable renewable energy options, including a growing solar power market and the planned construction of the Grain Belt to deliver wind energy from the Kansas City Area.

However, that project has been met with heavy opposition and delays.

This is an ongoing story.