Kansas is Missing Out on Wind Power Opportunities
Monday, May 24, 2010
Kansas has the 2nd best wind energy potential in the nation, but ranks 14th in the amount of wind power installed. One reason for the slow growth of wind energy is that Kansas lacks statewide rules for connecting new wind power to the grid. The lack of these interconnection standards is discouraging some wind developers from investing in the state.
ELPC has worked to help several states adopt model interconnection standards that create a clear and streamlined process for connecting wind power to the electric grid. Without state standards, wind power projects can be subject to a patchwork of regulations that vary in different areas and under different utilities. ELPC Attorney Brad Klein told the Kansas City Star that utilities and legislators have shown support for interconnection standards in Kansas. ELPC will continue working to promote interconnection standards that help ease the development of clean energy in Kansas and across the Midwest.
