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Minutes for HB2381 - Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Short Title
Establishing the state energy plan task force to develop a comprehensive state energy plan.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 23, 2021
Chair Seiwert asked the committee to review the minutes of the February 18, 2021 meeting. Representative Gartner moved that the minutes of February 18, 2021 be approved as written. Representative Delperdang seconded the motion. The minutes were approved without objection.
Chairperson Seiwert opened the hearing on HB2381. Chair Seiwert asked that the testimony be held to 8 minutes for each conferee, and to hold questions until the end of the presentations.
PROPONENTS:
Mark Schreiber, Representative 60th District, appeared before the committee in support of HB2381.The energy industry is evolving quickly to meet customer, economic and societal demands. Kansas needs a strategy to attract capital and innovation. He believes a state plan can identify key areas that will help create value and revenue for the state. (Attachment 1) Mr Schreiber is ready to stand for questions.
David Nickel, C.U.R.B ., appeared before the committee in support of HB2381. Mr Nickel testified that comprehensive energy plan is a good tool to meet the goals of improving the affordability, reliability and sustainability of energy in Kansas for future generations. (Attachment 2) Mr Nickel is ready to stand for questions.
Kimberly Gencur Svaty, Kansas Advanced Power Alliance, appeared before the committee in support of HB2381. Ms Svaty says it is imperative that Kansas lay the foundation for tomorrow for how it is going to capitalize on the investment opportunities while maintaining the safe, reliable and affordable operating paradigm of today. (Attachment 3) Ms Svaty is ready to stand for questions.
Zack Pistora, Sierra Club, appeared before the committee in support of HB2381. Mr Pistora states with a comprehensive state energy plan, Kansas will be better equipped and coordinated to advance energy-related economic development, security, and environmental quality. (Attachment 4) Mr Pistora is ready to stand for questions.
Kimberly Gencur Svaty, on behalf of Kansas Municipal Utilities, appeared before the committee in support of HB2381. Ms Svaty testified to the Mission of the Kansas Energy Council and that HB2381 builds on the Energy Council's experience, is a positive step. (Attachment 5) Ms Svaty is ready to stand for questions.
Rabi Moti Rieber, Kansas Interfaith Action, appeared before the committee in support of HB2381. Rabi Motor is supportive of this task force because we think - as the consultants did - that Kansas needs a state energy plan. (Attachment 6) Rabi Moti Rieber is ready to stand for questions.
Jessica Lucas, Clean Energy Business Council, appeared before the committee in support of HB2381. If passed, HB2321 will begin to address our state's need for affordable, reliable, clean and abundant energy. (Attachment 7) Ms Lucas is ready to stand for questions.
Randy Stookey, Renew Kansas Biofuels Association, appeared before the committee in support of HB2381. Renew Kansas seeks forward-looking electric energy policy to ensure Kansas remains a competitive state to do business. (Attachment 8) Mr Stookey is ready to stand for questions.
Chair Seiwert drew the committee's attention to the written only proponent testimony provided by:
WRITTEN:
John Donley, Kansas Farm Bureau,(Attachment 9)
Leslie Kaufman, Kansas Electric Cooperatives (Attachment 10)
Emily Wolfe and Kelly Gilbert, Metropolitan Energy Center (Attachment 11)
Mallory Lutz, Little Government Relations. (Attachment 12)
Chair Seiwert will now open the opponent portion of the hearing on HB2381.
OPPONENTS:
Paul Snider, on behalf of Kansas Industrial Consumers Group and Kansas for Lower Electric Rates, stood in opposition to the bill. What is the value of HB2381 energy plan? What will it tell us that we don't already know? If anything, Kansas's energy plan should examine best practices to implement to lower the price we pay for electricity. (Attachment 13) Mr Snider is ready to stand for questions.
Chair Seiwert will now open the neutral portion on the hearing on HB2381.
Seeing no neutral testimony, Chair Seiwert closed the neutral portion of the hearing.
Chair Seiwert opened the floor for questions. Questions from the committee were addressed.
Chair Seiwert officially closed the hearing on HB2381.
Next meeting to be held on Thursday, February 25th, The agenda will be final action on bills previously heard. We will have the details out as soon as possible.
Meeting adjourned.
