Related Issues
From the Legislature
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Cindy provides occasional "Issue Updates" to provide constituents with more detailed information on important topics or of significant issues before the legislature. These updates examine a variety of topics of interest to Kansans.
If any of these updates prompt questions or concerns, I encourage you to call me or send me an email.
2009 Energy Issue Updates:
Energy Tax Credits and Biofuels Industry
The Energy Committee received an update this week from the Rural Development Division from the Department of Commerce on energy tax credits and the current state of the biofuels industry in Kansas...
Energy Storage Opportunities
House Resolution 6011 requests the Kansas Corporation Commission to convene a group of stakeholders to study energy storage as a cost-effective way to stabilize renewable energy generation, address transmission congestion costs, increase system reliability, increase the potential for distributive generation, and other energy storage issues the Commission identifies.
Tax Exemptions on Renewable Eenergy
The House Taxation Committee held hearings on House Bill 2196, which would eliminate property tax exemptions for renewable energy resources and technologies in the 2009 taxable year. “Renewable energy resources or technologies” include wind, solar, photovoltaic, biomass, hydropower, geothermal, and landfill gas resources or technologies.
Holcomb Power Plant
As expected, the Holcomb debate looks to return to the House floor in the form of House Sub for House Bill 2014. We anticipated a debate on this bill this week but it has been postponed. I have a number of concerns with the legislation as it stands but I will wait to see how proposed amendments will change the bill before making a decision.
» Holcomb Power Plant Status Update - March 15, 2009
Net Metering Proposed
Net metering is an opportunity for customers to generate their own electricity by way of renewable resource, meter it bi-directionally on one meter, and receive credit for their contributions, paying only for the “net” electricity provided to them by their utility.
Governor's Energy Plan
There will likely be more intense disagreement in 2009 over the rejection of a coal-fired power plant in Holcomb, Kansas. Already almost 30 bills have been pre-filed in the House Energy and Utilities Committee.