Prairie Public Broadcasting

Columbia Gets Wind Power COLUMBIA, MO (KBIA) - The answer for increased electricity demands may be blowing in the wind for Columbia residents.

The city began receiving wind power from Bluegrass Ridge Wind Farm in King City, Mo., this week in efforts to meet the requirements set by Columbia's renewable energy ordinance.

The required amount of renewable energy will gradually increase over the next 15 years to meet the growing demand for energy while avoiding increasing energy costs, says Dan Dasho, Director of Columbia Water and Light.

"We have to have 2% of our energy coming from renewables beginning in 2008. And then in 5 years time, by 2013 we'll have to have 5%. And then 2018 will be 10%"

Working with Associated Electric Cooperative, Columbia will receive about 9-percent of Bluegrass Ridge's total power production.

At maximum output, Columbia could receive up to 6.3 megawatts of power from wind, which can produce the initially required 2-percent, powering 4 to 6 thousand homes.
© Copyright 2012, KBIA