News Release

For more information contact: Linda Berry, (785) 271-3269 or Samir Arif, (785) 271-3188

September 13, 2016

Kansas Corporation Commission Highlights Energy Efficiency Partnerships During Kansas Energy Week

Topeka, KS - Two energy efficiency partnerships formed earlier this year by the Kansas Corporation Commission are helping to make Kansas homes and businesses more energy efficient.

Using a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, the KCC partnered with the Kansas State University Engineering Extension in January to offer no cost energy audits, renewable energy site assessments and related services to small businesses and agricultural producers in the Kansas' Rural Opportunity Zone counties.

To date, 14 business owners have participated. One of those participants, Brad Dieckman, owner of the Clay Center Locker, was recently notified that he is one of 21 Kansas recipients of a Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The grant will help defray the costs of the energy efficiency recommendations made during his audit.

"By switching to more efficient lighting, the annual energy consumption for lighting at the Clay Center Locker will go from 32,254 kWh to 8,161 kWh and save thousands of dollars," said David Carter, Director of Energy Programs at the Engineering Extension. "Business owners are often surprised at the positive effect energy efficiency can have on their profit margins."

In July, the KCC provided $350,000 in grant funds to the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) to provide weatherization assistance to low income Kansans. The KCC grant, funded by the Department of Energy through the federal State Energy Program, was aimed at helping to alleviate the weatherization waiting list. Since July, the grant funds have helped 17 homeowners on the waiting list receive assistance.

"Consuming energy efficiently makes economic sense, and helps to preserve Kansas' natural resources for generations to come. I want to thank our partners for making these incentives available to Kansans," said KCC Chairman Jay Scott Emler.