When it comes to clean energy, Kansas utilities have a lot to be proud of. By the end of 2016, nearly 1/3 of Westar customers’ energy will come from wind power. KCP&L wants to invest nearly $30 million dollars in energy efficiency programs for their Kansas customers and our municipal utilities and electric coops are investing in community solar projects, utility scale wind power and energy efficiency programs for their members and communities.
However, there are huge opportunities to grow the advanced energy economy by tapping into business’ growing appetite for clean energy.
At the inaugural Clean Energy Business Council Policy Lunch and Summit, powered by the Climate + Energy Project, Clean Energy Business Council members invited the attendees to join them, as they work to expand the advanced energy economy. The audience of policy makers, utility industry and clean energy stakeholders listened to Governor Brownback and Secretary of Commerce Soave discuss the intricate balance between energy, the environment and the economy along with the economic benefits of growing Kansas renewable energy to 50%.
Experts from the Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), American Council for an Energy Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) shared how states are positioning themselves as advanced energy leaders.
JR Tolbert with AEE outlined the need and the opportunity; 72% of Fortune 100 and 43% of Fortune 500 companies have set climate or clean energy targets. In 2015, 53% of wind power purchase agreements (3.2 GW) across the country were signed by corporate purchasers, however, most of the PPA’s were in restructured electricity markets. Regulated utility states like Georgia, North Carolina and Michigan are among those finding ways to capitalize on this opportunity.
A key policy summit take-away; Kansas doesn’t need to deregulate in order to create a clearer pathway for advanced energy purchases, instead we can consider some policy changes to open up the market for consumers to have more choices.
AEE and ACORE both shared policies working in other regulated states including:
Third party sales of electricity, virtual net metering, and increasing the net energy metering system cap. For large off-site renewable energy purchases, utility renewable energy tariffs (that are based on the price utilities pay for renewable energy), sleeved power purchase agreements, and direct access tariffs are all important policies to discuss.
Even though multiple potential solutions and ideas were presented throughout the summit, an important theme prevailed – we must all work together to build an economically attractive and resilient energy future Kansas deserves.
If you want to be part of the advanced energy conversation, consider joining the Clean Energy Business Council today.
Dorothy Barnett is Executive Director of the Hutchinson-based Climate and Energy Project.