Energy
Energy, in the form of electricity and natural gas, is essential for powering our homes, businesses, and daily activities in Columbia. However, it's also responsible for 70% of our community's greenhouse gas emissions. That is why we're committed to transitioning to more renewable sources and reducing our environmental impact while enhancing our community's resilience.
The Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) identifies two key energy sector goals:
- Increase generation and use of renewable energy sources, including on-site solar and energy storage.
- Improve energy resilience and demand management (how and when customers use energy).
Energy
Be Part of the Solution!
Your actions can make a big difference in Columbia's clean energy future!
Our Energy Use
Community Event
On November 20, 2023, the results of The Energy Authority’s 100% Renewable by 2030 study were presented to the City Council. Following their discussion, the City Council requested that the Electric Utility and the Water and Light Advisory Board (WLAB) provide recommendations for updating the City’s current renewable energy ordinance.
During the development of their recommendations, the WLAB considered comments from several community groups, members of the public, and other City Commissions. Their final recommendations can be found here.
Our Energy Use
Community Energy Use
The majority of our energy use and related emissions come from electricity produced by coal and natural gas-fired power plants. A much smaller portion of these emissions come from the use of natural gas for water and space heating. Clean, carbon neutral energy sources of electricity for Columbia are critical to meeting the CAAP’s Energy Sector goals.
Energy Use and Energy Emissions: What’s the Difference?
Energy use refers to how much energy we consume, while energy emissions measure the pollution that comes from using that energy. Different types of energy—like electricity and natural gas—produce different amounts of emissions. In Columbia, commercial buildings use the most energy, and even though they consume 64% of the energy, they are responsible for 49% of emissions.
Renewable Energy
Clean Energy For All
Renewable energy sources are those which naturally replenish in a short time. The most common are solar and wind. Using these “clean” energy resources, as opposed to coal and oil, does not result in an increase in GHGs in the atmosphere. Columbia has already taken several steps toward meeting its energy goals, including adopting a Renewable Energy Ordinance that requires an increasing percentage of electricity to be generated with renewable sources.
UNIT | We track renewable energy by comparing the amount of electricity used that is supplied by renewable energy resources to fossil fuel-based sources. | % REPercent of Renewable Energy |
We track renewable energy by comparing the amount of electricity used that is supplied by renewable energy resources to fossil fuel-based sources. | % REPercent of Renewable Energy |
Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy Strategies and Actions
The CAAP process identified strategies for increasing renewable energy generation and procuring renewable electricity. Specifically, setting a goal for Columbia Water & Light to be 100% renewable by 2035. Additionally, the City will maximize the potential for distributed solar PV with solar panels on eligible municipal buildings, expanding incentives for renewable energy installations, and offering a variety of community solar program options. Learn more about all the Strategies and Actions in the CAAP on the Action Plan page.
Local Energy Resilience
Energy Resilience
Increasing grid resilience helps support the City’s energy supply in times of natural disaster and peak energy demand. For example, distributed energy storage can help smooth out the peaks and valleys of wind and solar energy and improve community capacity to maintain electricity with regional outages. Additionally, behavior change can help the utility manage peak demand during the hottest parts of the summer. Reducing peak demand helps the utility and ratepayers save money and prevent outages.
