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Minutes for SB170 - Committee on Utilities
Short Title
Authorizing the state corporation commission to make recommendations regarding energy efficiency standards for buildings.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 12, 2025
The Chair opened the hearing on SB 170.
Nick Myers provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions (Attachment 4).
Zack Pistora testified in support of the bill and stood for questions (Attachment 5). Mr. Pistora stated that energy efficiency is a low cost, low polluting and maybe the most environmentally friendly energy resource we have in Kansas. This is a harmless bill with a great upside potential. It would allow the KCC to recommend energy efficiency standards that would help Kansas homeowners and businesses save energy.
Sean Miller testified in opposition to the bill and stood for questions (Attachment 6). Mr. Miller stated that due to the diversity in our counties, what may work in one county would not be appropriate for another, such as large urban versus rural building needs. He said this is primarily why Kansas does not have a statewide code. They allow home rule to deal with these issues. They are concerned that a recommended code could become by default a one-size-fits-all requirement by some communities.
Mark Tomb, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Kansas Association of Realtors, provided written testimony in opposition to the bill (Attachment 7).
Martha Smith, Executive Director, Kansas Manufactured Housing, provided written testimony in opposition to the bill (Attachment 8).
Lynn Retz provided neutral testimony on the bill and stood for questions (Attachment 9). Ms. Retz stated that the KCC energy division has an approved project through their DOE funding around this topic. They had proposed looking at the various codes across the state for residential, commercial, and industrial needs and to see how the various codes were being implemented. Their goal would be to identify building code best practices for all three sectors with no agenda on the part of the KCC.
There being no further conferees, the Chair closed the hearing on SB 170.
