Energy

HB 2148 prohibits Kansas' state corporation commission from approving permits for new electric transmission lines in areas designated by the U.S. Department of Energy as national interest electric transmission corridors. It also blocks electric utilities from using eminent domain to acquire land for these lines in such corridors, except for projects approved before the corridor designation. The bill amends state law to enforce these restrictions and repeals existing permitting processes for these areas. This directly affects utilities planning new transmission infrastructure in designated corridors and landowners within those zones.

HB 2161 creates a $0.05 per gallon income tax credit for Kansas retail gas stations and fuel distributors selling biodiesel blends (at least 10% biodiesel) or renewable diesel blends (at least 10% renewable diesel) to end users. The credit applies to sales made at retail service stations or direct sales to final users within Kansas, covering taxable years 2026 through 2031. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years, but the total annual credit amount cannot exceed $5 million. This policy directly supports businesses selling renewable fuel blends by reducing their tax liability, aiming to incentivize the use of cleaner motor vehicle fuels.

SB 167 prohibits Kansas electric utilities from passing EV charging station construction, operation, or maintenance costs to ratepayers (regular electricity customers). Instead, it requires utilities to establish separate rate schedules for private EV charging station operators, based on actual electricity consumption (kilowatt-hours) rather than demand. Utilities must operate EV charging services through a distinct business unit and offer terms equally to private operators as they would to other third parties. This takes effect by October 2025, with utilities required to file new rate schedules with the state commission or publish them publicly. The bill does not affect make-ready infrastructure or utilities' own fleet charging.

HB 2012 provides a $0.05 per gallon tax credit for retail fuel dealers and distributors selling ethanol blends containing 15% to 85% ethanol at Kansas retail service stations or directly to end users. The credit applies to tax years 2026 through 2031, with a yearly cap of $5 million total across all businesses. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years, but the credit cannot be refunded. This bill directly affects businesses selling ethanol-blended fuels in Kansas, including gas stations and fuel distributors.

SB 144 invalidates neighborhood agreements (like HOA rules) that block rooftop solar panel installations on residential homes, effective July 1, 2025. Homeowners in communities with such agreements will no longer be restricted from installing solar panels. Homeowners associations may still create reasonable rules about solar panels, but these rules cannot prohibit rooftop installations. The law takes effect after its publication in state statutes.

HB 2149 requires solar and renewable energy retailers to provide clear, standardized disclosures to residential customers before selling financed systems (like home solar panels). This includes details on system specifications, guaranteed energy output, total lifetime costs, tax credits, and installer credentials, all in plain language. The bill also mandates the attorney general to create a standard disclosure form and updates rules for connecting these systems to the grid, increasing utility capacity limits for parallel generation services. These changes directly affect homeowners purchasing financed renewable energy systems and aim to improve transparency in the sales process.