Energy powers modern life. It runs our cities, our economies, our homes and our schools. The burning of fossil fuels has served as our core energy source for hundreds of years and is the leading cause of greenhouse gas emissions. Replacing fossil fuels with unlimited, renewable and clean alternatives like wind and solar is an essential step toward mitigating the impacts of climate change. Renewables are on the rise as the cost of clean energy sources continues to fall, while fossil fuels have become an increasingly insecure investment. Clean energy is a key driver of economic development, fostering job growth, project investments and significant tax revenue to the benefit of local communities.

The Kansas City area is well-positioned for renewable energy production, with access to enough wind and solar resources to replace the use of fossil fuels completely. Wind is an already affordable core energy source and the state of Kansas is a national leader in wind energy production. In 2019, about 41%
of the state of Kansas’ energy came from wind, surpassing all other energy sources. On the other side of the state line, Missouri is ranked fourth in the nation for potential solar energy generation. Partnerships among utilities, private developers and local governments will continue to play a key role in propelling renewables forward in both Kansas and Missouri.

Utility-scale wind and solar farms are just one piece of the renewable puzzle. A clean energy transition will require a more diverse, distributed, flexible and technology-forward system. Local governments can establish policies and processes that foster energy generation and storage. A healthy and diverse local
clean energy economy reduces the burden on the grid, enabling utilities to avoid the cost of additional power plants. Solutions like grid flexibility and energy storage, as well as coal plant retirement solutions like securitization, will align our broader energy system to support a renewable transition.