Requiring legislative approval to construct high-impact electric transmission lines.
Impact
The implementation of SB266 would significantly affect how electric utilities conduct site preparations and construction of high-impact transmission lines. By requiring legislative approval, the bill shifts some regulatory power from the commission to the legislature, creating an additional checkpoint in the permitting process. Supporters of this bill argue that it would provide greater accountability and community input regarding the placement and impact of high-capacity transmission lines. This could lead to better alignment of such projects with local and state priorities.
Summary
Senate Bill 266 relates to the construction and development of electric transmission lines in the state of Kansas. The bill proposes that prior to constructing any high-impact electric transmission line—defined as lines at least 10 miles in length, transmitting over 340 kilovolts—electric utilities must obtain legislative approval after acquiring a siting permit from the state corporation commission. This change aims to enhance oversight on the construction of significant energy infrastructure and ensure that any projects align with state interests.
Contention
Notable points of contention surrounding SB266 include debates over the balance between regulatory oversight and the need for timely energy infrastructure development. Critics may argue that the additional legislative approval process could delay necessary projects aimed at improving the state's energy transmission capabilities. Conversely, proponents emphasize the importance of legislative involvement to prevent undesirable outcomes associated with new electric transmission lines, including potential environmental impacts and community disruptions. The requirement for public hearings on proposed routes is also a crucial aspect that has generated discussions on transparency and public involvement.
Requiring landowners whose land is taken by eminent domain for electric transmission lines to be compensated at not less than fair market value multiplied by 150%.
Requiring landowners whose land is taken by eminent domain for electric transmission lines to be compensated at not less than fair market value multiplied by 150%.
Establishing a rebuttable presumption against retirement of fossil fuel-fired electric generating units, requiring the state corporation commission to report on such retirements and extending the timelines for the commission to make a determination regarding rate-making treatment for generating or transmission facilities.
Establishing a rebuttable presumption against retirement of fossil fuel-fired electric generating units, requiring the state corporation commission to report on such retirements and extending the timelines for the commission to make a determination regarding rate-making treatment for generating or transmission facilities.
Extending the timelines for the state corporation commission to make a determination regarding rate-making treatment for electric generating or transmission facilities.
Authorizing electric public utilities to recover certain depreciation and construction work in progress expenses and limiting the time that such recovery may be implemented, authorizing the provision of economic development electric rates for certain large electric customers and limiting the time that such rates may be implemented, extending the timeline for the state corporation commission to issue an order in ratemaking treatment proceedings, authorizing electric public utilities to retain certain generating facilities in the utilty's rate base, prohibiting the commission from authorizing the retirement of certain generating facilities unless certain requirements are met, increasing the capacity limitation for the total amount of net metering facilities that may operate in the service territory of an investor-owned electric public utility, requiring net metering facilities to be appropriately sized based on the customer's average load and establishing requirements for exporting power from a net metering system to a utility.
Authorizing certain power purchase agreements with renewable energy suppliers, exempting the sales of electricity pursuant to power purchase agreements from public utility regulation and requiring electric public utilities to enter into parallel generation contracts with certain customers of the utility.
A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3176.)
A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2551.)