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Minutes for HB2588 - Committee on Utilities
Short Title
Increasing the capacity limitation for the total amount of facilities subject to net metering that may operate within the service territory of investor-owned electric utilities, requiring facilities to be appropriately sized based on the customer's average load and establishing requirements for exporting power to a utility from a facility subject to net metering.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 5, 2024
The Chairperson opened the hearing on HB 2588.
Nick Myers gave an overview of the bill and stood for questions from the committee. Senator Francisco questioned the wording in a few sections and proposed a technical amendment to line twenty-six on page two. Senator Thompson asked a question regarding rated capacities for different rooftops.(Attachment 1)
Jessica Lucas testified in support of the bill and gave a brief background on how the bill was developed.(Attachment 2)
The Chair held all questions until the end of all testimony.
Mark Horst testified in support of the bill and stated that it was the result of negotiations between two stakeholders in the solar industry and Evergy.(Attachment 3)
Jeff Martin testified in support of the bill and stated that it will support future changes in the solar industry and ensure that the electric grid remains strong.(Attachment 4)
Paul Snider testified in support of the bill and stated that this bill sets the stage for how we deal with clean energy options in the future.(Attachment 5)
Malcolm Proudfit testified in support of the bill and complimented the working relationship between the utilities and the solar industry in Kansas.(Attachment 6 )
Joseph Astrab testified in support of the bill and stated they thought this bill was a good compromise between the utilities and residential ratepayers and small commercial ratepayers who may be interested in using solar. It would gradually increase the number of customers who take advantage of this without putting an undue burden or stress on the utility system to ensure reliable and low- cost energy.(Attachment 7)
Zack Pistora testifed in support of the bill and stated that it does a number of positive things to help improve the net metering policy, but he questioned why they were limiting the export capacity back to the utility. (Attachment 8)
Jeff Hohnbaum provided written testimony in support of the bill. (Attachment 9)
Amanda Stamm provided written testimony in support of the bill. (Attachment 10)
Eric Stafford provided written testimony in support of the bill.(Attachment 11)
Leslie Kaufman testified as a neutral conferee on the bill and stated that the bill does differ from their own model net metering rider, such as on specific definitions regarding appropriate size. The Kansas Electric Cooperatives would like for the HB 2588 provisions not be seen as a broad brush template or de facto standard for the rest of the industry.(Attachment 12)
Leo Haynos testified as a neutral conferee on the bill and stated that the bill does provide needed clarification to the existing statute, but it does not address consumer protection issues.(Attachment 13)
The Chair opened the floor for questions.
There being no further conferees, the Chair closed the hearing on HB 2588.
Meeting adjourned at 2:26.
