Speaking to the Kansas Municipal Utilities

Statement

On Friday, I had the opportunity to speak to the Kansas Municipal Utilities (KMU), the statewide association of municipally-owned and -operated electric, gas, water, wastewater, storm water, and telecommunications utilities across the state during their conference in Wichita. These utilities providers are scattered across Kansas and serve populations of all sizes. A flurry of new regulations proposed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has had a significant impact on municipal utilities, more so than their larger Kansas counterparts. Serving smaller, more rural populations, municipal utilities are at a disadvantage when seeking to comply with these regulations given the EPA's short deadlines.

Rules like the Cross State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR) and the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants on Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engines (RICE/NESHAP), force electric utilities to raise rates in an effort to fast-track their ongoing emissions reductions projects. It is unfair to jeopardize energy availability for municipal utilities customers because of unreasonable compliance deadlines. I have introduced legislation, S. 1702 and S. 2300, along with Senator Roberts, to allow utilities to continue to serve their customers while completing their emissions reductions efforts. Thanks to Colin Hansen and the KMU membership for inviting me to visit with them.

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