Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB266

Introduced
2/13/25  

Caption

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.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB68

Providing incumbent electric transmission owners a right of first refusal for the construction of certain electric transmission lines.

KS SB166

Requiring public disclosure of an application for a transmission line siting permit under the jurisdiction of the state corporation commission.

KS HB2225

Limiting cost recovery for certain electric public utilities' transmission-related costs.

KS HB2691

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%.

KS SB443

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%.

KS HB2620

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.

KS SB456

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.

KS HB2597

Extending the timelines for the state corporation commission to make a determination regarding rate-making treatment for electric generating or transmission facilities.

KS HB2527

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.

KS HB2227

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.

Similar Bills

NJ A5437

Requires electric transmission owners to join transmission entities.

NJ S4519

Requires electric transmission owners to join transmission entities.

IL HB5234

UTIL-TRANSMISSION EFFICIENCY

KS HB2226

Providing incumbent electric transmission owners a right of first refusal for the construction of certain electric transmission lines.

IN HB1420

Electric transmission facilities.

CA SB1006

Electricity: transmission capacity: reconductoring and grid-enhancing technologies.

IA SF2372

A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(Formerly SSB 3176.)

IA HSB698

A bill for an act relating to electric transmission lines and electric transmission owners, and including effective date and applicability provisions.(See HF 2551.)