photo by: Douglas County

Solar panels installed at Douglas County Public Works.

Lawrence organizers are asking for input on how the city can keep up with its renewable energy goals.

The Climate and Energy Project, Kansas Chapter of Sierra Club and League of Women Voters of Lawrence-Douglas County will host a panel discussion Tuesday night at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., to discuss the City of Lawrence’s ordinance that set a goal for 100% renewable energy use by the city by 2025.

The ordinance, known as Ordinance 9744, was passed in 2020 and set a goal for 100% renewable energy in all city operations by 2025 and 100% renewable energy citywide – including in private homes and businesses – by 2035. As the Journal-World reported, the city was powering only 3% of its operations with clean energy sources at the end of 2025.

The city’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Board had discussed in February changing the ordinance and giving it more teeth to ensure the city can create more concrete steps to making the clean energy transition, as the Journal-World reported.

Feedback provided during the panel discussion will be shared with the City Commission, according to event organizers. The forum will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Public Library.