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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2005

CONTACT: Dan Dasho
Director of Columbia Water and Light
Office - (573) 874-7325
or
Connie Kacprowicz
Communications Specialist
Office - (573) 874-7330
Green energy flows into Columbia 
									
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - A block of renewable electricity started
flowing through Columbia's system on Feb. 1, 2005, well ahead of the
deadline set by a voter-approved ordinance that mandates its purchase.
Columbia Water and Light has an agreement with the Missouri Public
Utility Alliance to purchase methane produced power from a landfill in
Illinois. The contract allows the utility to purchase up to three
megawatts of continual power from Feb. 1, 2005 through Sept. 30, 2005.
This represents about 1 percent of total energy sales for Columbia.  
	On Nov. 2, 2005 an ordinance was passed that directs Columbia
Water and Light to include power produced from renewable resources in
its power supply portfolio. By Dec. 31, 2007, the utility is required to
have 2 percent of power sales come from renewable energy sources. The
percentage of purchased renewable power increases up to 5 percent in
2012 and up to 15 percent by 2020. This purchased electricity can not
cause electric rates to raise more than 3 percent.
	Acquiring renewable energy ahead of the ordinance's deadline
will allow Columbia Water and Light to test the continual availability
of green power through the region's transmission system. Wind energy
purchases and power produced locally from landfill gas will also be
explored by the utility's staff as it looks towards meeting the
voters' directive to bring renewable energy to Columbia.
	Renewable energy is produced from non-fossil fuel resources.
Energy generated from wind, methane gas generated from a landfill or the
burning of alternative fuels like walnut shells or old tires are all
considered renewable energy. Solar energy is considered a renewable
resource as well but it is not as practical in the Midwest for producing
large amounts of electricity.
	The renewable energy scheduled for Columbia is purchased through
the Missouri Public Utility Alliance who holds purchase rights to a
block of power from the Milam Landfill, in east St. Louis, Ill., until
Oct. 1, 2005. The agreement with 
Missouri Public Utility Alliance is for up to three megawatts of
continuous power through Sept. 30, 2005. The cost of three megawatts for
the eight month agreement is estimated to be $662,000. The added cost of
this renewable energy contract will not have a significant impact on
Columbia Water and Light's overall power costs. 

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