Minutes for SB68 - Committee on Utilities

Short Title

Providing incumbent electric transmission owners a right of first refusal for the construction of certain electric transmission lines.

Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 9, 2023

The Chairman called for opponent testimony on the bill.

Alan Anderson claimed that there are massive benefits to Kansas ratepayers when projects are competitively bid. He asserted that that the competitive process would not only be good for ratepayers, but also make the utility more efficient.

(Attachment 7)

Eric Stafford recommended that instead of pursuing the ROFR policies, the legislature should consider strengthening KCC oversight over transmission planning, ensure ratepayers are protected and expand competition where possible.

(Attachment 8)

Jason Watkins stressed that the committee should strive to interject competition to make sure that Kansas is as competitive it can be.

(Attachment 9)

Jessica Lucus cautioned that the ROFR backlash has the potential to limit interstate competition in developing regional transmission projects that could bring Kansas wind and solar resources to new markets.

(Attachment 10)

Randy Stookey warned that the preferential treatment proposed in the bill could create an anti-competitive environment for Kansas transmission build projects.

(Attachment 11)

Elizabeth Patton suggested that the lack of competitive cost caps can be expected to lead to higher transmission build costs due to no pressure to cut costs and prevent overruns.

(Attachment 12)

Joseph Neely emphasized that ROFR requirements have a tendency to delay needed transmission projects and provoke conflicts with other states.

(Attachment 13)

Written-Only Opponent Testimony:

Paul Cicio, ETC

(Attachment 14)

Gonzalo Garcia, City of Gardner KS

(Attachment 15)

Maxine Groucher, AARP

(Attachment 16)

Seeing no additional testimony, the Chairman closed the hearing on the bill.