News Release 05-16

Lt. Gov. John Moore To Kick-Off Energy Conference -- Wind Energy, Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency

Energy is in the forefront of almost every national conversation, either directly or indirectly. Kansas continues to be an active leader in energy issues, bringing together experts in all energy related areas and professional disciplines to advance the ever urgent need for awareness, education and action in all segments of energy resources, supply and usage. As Kansans, and part of the ever shrinking world community, the need becomes increasingly more evident everyday to use energy responsibly and to move forward with the development of renewable energy and the efficient use of energy from all sources.

Through a collaborative effort, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) is hosting the 6th Annual Kansas Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Conference next week at the Ramada Inn located in downtown Topeka, Kansas. Being held in conjunction with the conference is the Southwest Power Pool Workshop II – Transmission and Wind. The workshop is also being held at the Ramada Inn.

The Southwest Power Pool Workshop II – Transmission and Wind, organized by the National Wind Coordinating Committee (NWCC) will be held Monday, September 19, 2005. The workshop will bring together local, state, and national policymakers, environmentalists, utilities, advocates, and other wind energy stakeholders to discuss key studies and assessments of regional transmission needs. Participants will also discuss policies and related issues occurring in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and explore how the transmission landscape is affecting the development of wind energy in the region. The Southwest Power Pool is a regional transmission organization (RTO). Critical decision makers and entities necessary to the process of resolving transmission issues will be identified and a plan developed to engage these individuals and entities to that end.

The workshop agenda and registration information is available on the KCC website: www.kcc.state.ks.us.

The 6th Annual Kansas Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Conference is scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, September 20 – 21. Following opening remarks by KCC Chair Brian Moline, Lieutenant Governor John Moore will address the conference that is expected to attract more than 300 participants.

Wrapping up the first afternoon of general sessions will be a panel of Kansas legislators from the House and Senate Utilities and Agriculture Committees. It will include Senators Jay Emler (R-Lindsborg), Janis Lee (D-Kensington) and Roger Pine (R-Lawrence). State Representatives scheduled to appear include Tom Sloan (R-Lawrence), Annie Kuether (D-Topeka) and Tom Hawk (D-Manhattan). They will discuss current energy issues and respond to questions from conference attendees.

Concurrent sessions on September 21, will feature topics on Wind, Biomass, Energy Efficiency Biofuels, Energy Education, Ethanol, and Financing Agricultural Energy Projects. Highlighting Wednesday will be a session on transmission issues and the newly authorized Kansas Electric Transmission Authority, passed by the 2005 Kansas Legislature.

Detailed agenda and registration information is available on the KCC website: www.kcc.state.ks.us.