Kansas
State Scorecard Rank
49
Kansas
3.0Scored out of 50Updated 12/2022
State Government
Score: 0.5 out of 9
State Government Summary List All
Kansas does not have any solely state-administered incentives for consumer energy efficiency investments. The state government leads by example by requiring energy-efficient public buildings, benchmarking energy use, and encouraging the use of energy savings performance contracts. Kansas is one of the few states to adopt a residential energy-use disclosure requirement. Researched focused on energy efficiency takes place at several institutions in the state.
Financial Incentives List All
Currently, there are no solely state-administered financial incentive programs. Financial Incentive information for Kansas is provided by the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE Kansas).
Last Reviewed: July 2017
Equity Metrics and Workforce DevelopmentList All
We were unable to determine if the state's energy plans or electrification strategies establish specific policies or equity-related metrics to ensure access for underserved customers or if they include specific measures to prioritize clean energy workforce development.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Carbon Pricing PoliciesList All
The State of Kansas does not yet have carbon pricing policies in place.
At this time, the state does not have a statewide emissions reduction goal in place.
Last Reviewed: September 2022
Building Energy Disclosure List All
- Building type(s) affected: residential
HB 2036 requires builders or sellers of new residential single-family or multi-family buildings of four units of less to disclose information regarding the energy efficiency of the structure to buyers (or prospective buyers) prior to the signing of the contract to purchase and prior to the closing of the sale.
Last Reviewed: July 2017
Public Building Requirements List All
Kansas requires all state-owned buildings to undergo an energy audit at least every 5 years to identify excessive energy usage; for leased buildings, an energy audit is required before State agencies may approve new leases or renew existing leases.
Kansas also prescribes energy-efficiency performance standards for new construction (see KAR-1-67-2) and renovations, wherever feasible (see KAR 1-67-3) to ensure the buildings meet energy efficiency levels of IECC 2006 or the equivalent ASHRAE standard.
In addition, the Facility Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP) at the Kansas Corporation Commission Energy Division is directed to (1) implement cost-effective conservation and efficiency measures in all state-owned buildings; (2) accelerate efforts to market FCIP to school districts and local governments; and (3) review all state construction projects, both new and remodeling, that exceed $100,000 for possible inclusion in FCIP, including Regents facilities.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Fleets List All
The Kansas secretary of administration shall adopt rules and regulations that require that the average fuel economy standard for state-owned motor vehicles purchased during fiscal year 2011 shall not be less than 10% higher than the average fuel economy standard of state-owned motor vehicles purchased during fiscal year 2008, if such higher average fuel economy standards are life-cycle cost effective for such motor vehicles purchased during fiscal year 2011.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Energy Savings Performance Contracting List All
Kansas has a long-standing performance contracting program, the Facility Conservation Improvement Program (FCIP), which is administered by the Kansas Corporation Commission. FCIP provides a list of preapproved ESCO partners and walks users through a series of well-laid-out steps toward forming an ESPC. The FCIP website links to the Energy Services Coalition for model documents rather than providing its own. After Hawaii, Kansas is ranked #2 in the nation by the Energy Services Coalition for performance contracting spending per capita.
Last Reviewed: September 2020
Research & Development List All
Studio 804, Inc. is a not-for profit 501(c)(3) corporation that works in partnership with the University of Kansas’ School of Architecture, Design, and Planning, and is committed to the continued research and development of sustainable, affordable, and inventive building solutions. For the last 16 years, Studio 804 has pioneered new technologies and advanced construction techniques. The corporation has completed five LEED Platinum projects to date, including the Sustainable Prototype in Greensburg, Kansas.
Established in the 1970s at Wichita State University, the Center for Energy Studies researches efficient and innovative solutions for the electric power industry. It is one of thirteen university members of the Power Systems Engineering Research Center (PSERC), an organization including the Dept. of Energy, National Science Foundation, the Electric Power Research Institute, industry, and utilities.
Last Reviewed: July 2017
Buildings
Score: 1 out of 24
Buildings Summary List All
Kansas is a home rule state. The Kansas Corporation Commission conducts an annual survey to assess code compliance. The Kansas Corporation Commission’s Energy Division will continue to survey local jurisdictions – cities and counties that, taken together, account for over 90% of the state’s residential construction activity – and publish the findings annually.
Residential Codes List All
Kansas is a home-rule state and thus has no statewide residential building code, though realtors and homebuilders are required to fill out an energy-efficiency disclosure form and provide it to potential buyers. Many jurisdictions have adopted the 2009 or 2012 IECC. Based on information obtained in a 2013 survey of local jurisdictions and 2011 U.S. Census permit data, it is estimated the almost 60% of residential construction in Kansas is covered by the 2009 and 2012 iterations of the IECC.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Commercial Code List All
Kansas is a home-rule state and thus has no statewide commercial building code. In April 2007, the 2006 IECC became the applicable standard for new commercial and industrial structures. However, jurisdictions in the state are not required to adopt the code.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Compliance List All
- Gap Analysis/Strategic Compliance Plan: NA
- Baseline & Updated Compliance Studies: The Kansas Corporation Commission’s (KCC) annual survey of local jurisdictions provides an initial baseline for assessing adoption and compliance.
- Utility Involvement: NA
- Stakeholder Advisory Group: In 2013 the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) established the Kansas Codes Collaborative, a stakeholder group involving utilities, local codes officials, and others. The new Codes Collaborative builds on the work of the previous Energy Efficiency Building Codes Working Group, with more emphasis on development and implementation of the plan to assess code compliance in local jurisdictions.
- Training/Outreach: The KCC partners with Johnson County Contractor Licensing program to offer subsidized energy codes training for local contractors and codes officials.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Important Links List All
CHP
CHP Summary List All
The state offers few policies to encourage CHP deployment. No new CHP systems were installed in 2018.
Interconnection StandardsList All
Policy: Net Metering and Easy Connection Act
Description: In May 2009, the State adopted the Net Metering and Easy Connection Act (House Bill 2369), establishing general interconnection rules for distributed generation systems. The rules only apply to renewable sources of distributed generation (and presumably renewable-fired CHP), and only apply to systems with capacities up to 200 kW. If a customer meets all safety and interconnection requirements, utilities may not require additional liability insurance. The rules (KAR 82-17-1, et seq.) were adopted by the Kansas Corporation Commission in July 2010.
Last Updated: September 2018
Encouraging CHP as a ResourceList All
There are currently no state policies designed to acquire energy savings from CHP (like other efficiency resources) or energy generation from CHP (in terms of kWh production) that apply to all forms of CHP.
Last Updated: September 2018
Deployment IncentivesList All
Net Metering: Kansas allows net metering of systems up to 200kW, provided they are powered by renewable resources such as wind, solar, and biomass.
Last Updated: September 2018
Additional Supportive PoliciesList All
Some additional supportive policies exist in Kansas. The state offers a Waste Heat Utilization System Property Tax Exemption to encourage the use of waste heat to power and renewable-fueled CHP systems.
Last Updated: September 2018
Utilities
Score: 0.5 out of 15
Utilities Summary List All
While there are no requirements for utilities to offer customer energy efficiency programs, the Kansas Corporation Commission encourages and collaborates with individual utilities on a case-by-case basis to provide customer programs. Most of the state’s utilities do offer some customer energy efficiency programs, although budgets and services available through such programs are not as expansive and comprehensive as other states. The programs primarily offer financing or rebates for energy-efficiency improvements.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Customer Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Kansas does not have any laws or regulatory rules that require energy efficiency programs. In its November 2008 order in Docket No. 08-GIMX-441-GIV, the commission chose not to require energy efficiency programs from the state’s electric and natural gas utilities but determined that it would collaborate with utilities as they pursue energy efficiency as a resource (see also Docket No. 07-GIMX-247-GIV and Docket No. 08-GIMX-442-GIV).
The majority of programs currently provided by the Kansas utilities offer rebates or financing for energy-efficient appliances and equipment for water heating, space heating, air conditioning, and lighting. There are also new homes programs and custom programs. Generally, the scale and scope of programs and services available to customers is smaller than in leading states with large program portfolios and more comprehensive sets of customer options.
The most recent budgets for energy efficiency programs and electricity and natural gas savings can be found in the State Spending and Savings Tables.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Energy Efficiency as a Resource List All
There is currently no policy in place that treats energy efficiency as a resource.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Energy Efficiency Resource Standards List All
There is currently no EERS in place.
For more information on Energy Efficiency Resource Standards, click here.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Utility Business Model List All
The Kansas Corporation Commission will consider proposals from electric and gas utilities that include decoupling on a case by case basis; however, no plans have been approved for any utilities (Docket 08-GIMX-441-GIV).
Kansas Statute 66-117 (e) allows a rate of return of 0.5% to 2% on top of the rate of return authorized for capital investments for energy efficiency investments. The Kansas Corporation Commission will consider proposals from electric and gas utilities that include shared savings performance incentives on a case by case basis (Docket 08-GIMX-441-GIV). On January 1, 2011, the KCC approved a lost-margin recovery (shared savings) mechanism for Westar Energy’s Simple Savings (Efficiency Kansas) program (Docket 10-WSEE-775-TAR).
Last reviewed: November 2024
Evaluation, Measurement, & Verification List All
- Primary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: total resource cost test
- Secondary cost-effectiveness test(s) used: utility cost test, participant cost test, ratepayer impact measure test
The evaluation of ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in Kansas relies on regulatory orders (Order in Docket No. 08-GIMX-442-GIV, Order in Docket No. 10-GIMX-013-GIV, and Order in 12-GIMX-337-GIV). Evaluations are administered by the Kansas Corporation Commission. Kansas has established formal rules and procedures for evaluation, which are stated in Docket No. 08-GIMX-442-GIV, Docket No. 10-GIMX-013-GIV, and Docket 12-GIMX-337-GIV. Evaluations for each of the utilities are conducted.
According to the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), Kansas relies on a Total Resource Cost model (TRC) test as its primary cost effectiveness test for decision making. In addition, Kansas uses the Utility Cost Test (UCT), Participant Cost Test (PCT) and Ratepayer Impact Measure test (RIM) as secondary capacity tests. Kansas uses four of the five classic benefit-cost tests identified in the California Standard Practice Manual. These are the Total Resource Cost (TRC), Utility/Programs Administrator (UCT), Participant (PCT), and the Ratepayer Impact Measure (RIM). The rules for benefit-cost tests are stated in Docket No. 08-GIMX-442-GIV and Docket No. 10-GIMX-013-GIV. Kansas specifies the TRC to be its primary cost-effectiveness test. These benefit-cost tests are required for total program and customer project level screening, with exceptions for low-income programs, pilots, and new technologies.
Further information on cost-effectiveness screening practices for Kansas is available in the Database of State Efficiency Screening Practices (DSESP), a resource of the National Efficiency Screening Project (NESP).
Last Reviewed: January 2020
Guidelines for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs List All
Requirements for State and Utility Support of Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
No specific required spending or savings requirements were identified.
Cost-Effectiveness Rules for Low-Income Energy Efficiency Programs
No specific adjustments or exceptions to general cost-effectiveness rules are in place for low-income programs.
Coordination of Ratepayer-Funded Low-Income Programs with WAP Services
Level of coordination is unclear from publicly available data.
Last reviewed: November 2024
Self Direct and Opt-Out Programs List All
There are no self-direct or opt-out programs in Kansas.
Data AccessList All
Kansas has no policy in place that requires utilities to release energy use data to customers or third parties.
Last Updated: July 2015
Transportation
Score: 1.5 out of 13
Transportation Summary List All
Kansas has some legislation supporting dedicated transit funding and a freight plan that considers alternative fuel vehicles.
Tailpipe Emission Standards List All
No California Vehicle Standards in place or proposed.
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Transportation System Efficiency List All
Transportation and Land Use Integration: We were unable to find information regarding smart growth policies
VMT Targets: No policy in place or proposed.
FAST Freight Plans and Goals: Kansas’ state freight plan has the following listed:
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Consider/support multimodal freight system opportunities (i.e., opportunities that place less reliance on the highway system, alone
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Encourage the adoption of alternative fuel vehicles for goods movement
Last Reviewed: November 2024
Transit Funding List All
The Transportation Works for Kansas legislation was adopted in 2010 and provides financing for a multimodal development program in communities with sensitive transportation needs. This program includes annual funding to develop, improve, or maintain a coordinated public transportation system throughout Kansas. This dedicated funding stream increased from $6 million to $11 million in 2013 (see KSA 75-5035).
KDOT also receives $11 million annually from the State Highway Fund for public transportation.
Last updated: November 2024
Incentives for High-Efficiency Vehicles List All
We were unable to find information for high-efficiency vehicle incentives.
Last updated: November 2024
Equitable Access to TransportationList All
We were unable to find information indicating state programs in place to incentivize the creation of low-income housing near transit facilities. Kansas does consider the proximity of transit facilities when distributing federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits to qualifying property owners.
Last updated: November 2024
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