Iola council members closed the door Monday night on partnering with Westar Energy to build a solar power plant here. With that chapter in the books, the council now owes citizens the next act: their alternative vision for the citys energy portfolio. Its not enough to vote something down. Leaders provide their constituents with a clear path forward.
Across the country, cities are committing to incorporating green energy. In Kansas, the smaller communities of Pratt, Baldwin City and Hillsboro, have all signed on to solar projects. At Chanutes city commission meeting Monday, members, who are considering a similar solar project to the one proposed to Iola, noted Ash Grove Cement a big user of electricity would be willing to make up the difference of an initial higher rate for consumers if the city brought the Westar project online.
Increasingly, industries expect communities to include green energy in order to claim renewable energy credits proving they are working toward the states Renewable Portfolio Standard, which mandates industries diversify their energy consumption. To no executives surprise, consumers also place a higher value on goods produced with renewable energy. Younger people, especially, want to live in communities that are good stewards of the environment.
That Allen County is home to a wind farm speaks volumes about its commitment to renewable energy and shows how it understands people interpret clean energy as a quality of life issue, much like its investment in our rail trails and supporting farmers markets and health fairs.
Put plainly, its good marketing. We want those who call Iola home and who could in the future to appreciate our regions beauty and know were ensuring its future.
IN VOTING NO, some council members said they were being good stewards of city funds.
Yes, a new solar plant would have required an investment. But so did spending $1.1 million on two used diesel-powered generators, which the city did only a few weeks ago.
Others offered the following arguments:
They didnt feel comfortable committing funds they dont have, despite assurances by City Administrator Sid Fleming that the electric department could comfortably set aside the money needed over the next eight years, at which point Westar would have sold the utility to Iola for $3.7 million.
They didnt want to commit any funds until the city is debt-free, alluding to the $4 million the city is on schedule to pay down for the next six years for the 2005 construction of the water plant. However prudent that may seem, to hold one department hostage to expenses incurred by others is not the answer.
Further, to infer that all future development must be postponed until 2025, well, thats one sure way to choke off Iolas growth. Embarking on one project at a time reflects a lack of vision. And quite plainly, as may be the case with Westars proposal, some projects must be seized now or never.
The solar utility would have been too small, providing only 7% of our utility needs. That ignores the fact that we now pay premiums on energy we cant produce. The solar plant would have pushed us over the line enough to qualify Iola as a generating city, garnering us a wholesale energy rate.
And whats to say it couldnt have been the first step of a bigger endeavor? You have to start somewhere. And how cool would it be that someday local home and business owners could see returns on their investments of solar?
That Fleming and Scott Shreve, the citys energy consultant, were unable to convince a majority of council members of the industrys benefits lower utility rates resulting in significant long-term savings, diversification of power, an attraction to industries points to a lack of trust and communication between the two parties. Both groups should reflect on Mondays vote and strengthen their commitment to pull in the same direction.
As weve learned with any issue of significance, passage requires lots of teamwork, trust and communication.
WERE HOPING the solar plants defeat will usher in a new set of fresh ideas on how to promote growth and opportunity. Our city council now has the opportunity and the obligation to lead by setting forth a vision for Iola. Its clear what our city council is against. Let us now see what they are for.
Susan Lynn
