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Minutes for HB2149 - Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Short Title
Requiring distributed energy retailers to disclose certain information to customers who are offered a contract to finance the construction, installation or operation of a distributed energy system and establishing requirements for a customer's construction, installation and operation of a renewable energy system subject to parallel generation services.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 6, 2025
Chairman Delperdang emphasized that a significant amendment was in the works, and the final decision would be based on the outcome of discussions at the hearing. He added the bill in its current form would still be subject to negotiations.
Chairman Delperdang opened the hearing on HB2149.
Nick Myers, Revisor of Statutes provided a review of the bill brief and responded to questions from the committee members. (Attachment2)
Chairman introduced proponent in person conferees who provided a brief testimony on the bill.
- Jessica Lucas, on Behalf of Clean Energy Business Council (Attachment3 testified in favor of the bill that addresses consumer disclosures on residential systems and ensures additional clarity and uniformity for solar installers under the parallel generation statue.
- Mark Horst, King Solar (Attachment4) explained he worked alongside utility colleagues the past two years to bring the legislation before the committee today and was actively working with stakeholders to amend the language to a mutually agreeable place.
Proponent written only testimony as follows:
- Kirk Kreisel, Artisun Solar (Attachment5)
- Jeff Hohnbaum, Hutton Energy Service (Attachment6)
- Paul Snider, on Behalf of Kansans for Lower Electric Rates and Kansas Industrial Consumers Group (Attachment7)
Chairman introduced opponent in person conferees who provided a brief testimony on the bill.
- Kimberly Gencur Svaty, on Behalf of Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU) (Attachment8) stands in opposition of the bill as introduced. However, Ms. Svaty added KMU participated in weeks of conversations producing significant revisions that should appear in a balloon amendment. Without the balloon amendment, KMU on behalf of its members, must remain opposed to the bill.
- Terri Pemberton, Kansas Municipal Energy Agency (KMEA) (Attachment9) KMEA is opposed to the bill as introduced, the bill does not provide sufficient consumer protection for parallel generation and net metering customers, however KMEA have been working with stakeholders in an attempt to amend the language in the bill.
- Mike Morley, Midwest Energy, Inc. (Attachment10) is opposed of the original version of the bill, however is a proponent of the substitute language for the bill and supports fair compensation for parallel generation customers.
- Reagan McCloud, Kansas Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (KEC) (Attachment11) KEC and its members stand in strong opposition to the bill in the original form. Mr. McCloud added there were several significant issues of concern and have an amendment that addresses many of the issues that apply to the original statute.
- Mark Scheibe, Heartland Rural Electric Cooperatives, Inc. (Attachment12) stated as currently written, the bill presents several critical issues that need to be addressed to ensure the bill's effectiveness and protect the interest of both consumer-members and electric cooperatives.
- Laura Lutz, Evergy (Attachment13) who is opposed of the bill, however Ms. Lutz stated they have been engaging in productive conversations with the proponents of the bill, along with our utility industry peers,to try and find common ground.
Opponent written only testimony as follows:
- Lindsay Campbell, Pioneer Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Southern Pioneer Electric Company, on behalf of Prairieland Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Wheatland Electric Cooperatives, Inc., Western Cooperative Electric Association., Inc., the Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Inc., and Sunflower Electric Power Corporation (Attachment14)
Neutral written only testimony as follows:
- Eric Stafford, Kansas Chamber (Attachment15)
The conferees responded to questions from the committee members.
Chairman asked committee if there were further questions.
Chairman Delperdang closed the hearing on HB2149.
Chairman asked committee if there were any objections to February 27 committee meeting minutes. Without objection, the minutes were accepted as presented.
The next committee meeting will be Tuesday, March 11.
Chairman Delperdang adjourned the meeting at 10:52am
