wind energy

Bill To Roll Back Tougher Green Energy Standards Stalls In House Committee

Kate Clause — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:08:17 +0000

A new effort to roll back new green energy standards in Kansas utilities has stalled in the state Legislature.

The House Energy and Environment Committee tabled a bill today that would put off a requirement for utilities to generate at least 20 percent of its energy with renewable resources by the year 2020. The tabled bill would rolled back the standard to 15 percent, not 20.

Top Morning News 01.04.13

Briana O’Higgins — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 11:25:59 +0000

Largest wind farm in Kansas now operational; Study finds racial disparities persist in state juvenile system; Senator Roberts no longer on ag panel; Lesser prairie chicken listed as threatened by federal agency.

States Largest Wind Farm Now Operational

The largest wind farm ever built in Kansas is now fully operational.

Brownback Hopeful Wind Energy Tax Credit Will Be Extended

Stephen Koranda — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 12:48:00 +0000

A wind energy tax credit is set to expire at the end of this year, but Gov. Sam Brownback is still holding out hope that lawmakers in Washington will extend the credit. He'd prefer to see it phased out more slowly over several years. Some critics of the credit have called it wasteful spending, but the governor says it's been the driving factor behind the wind industry in Kansas.

"I think they have a legitimate point of view, I just think it would be better off phasing it over four years," says Brownback.

New Orders Will Help Hutchinson Wind Farm Parts Plant Avoid Further Layoffs

Associated Press — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 14:18:26 +0000

Plant officials at Siemens Wind Energy in Hutchinson say new orders will help the company avoid more layoffs for now.

The plant recently received orders to supply parts for wind farms being built in Southern California and Chile.

Siemens announced in September that it was cutting 60 percent of its Hutchinson workforce. The layoffs were completed this week, leaving the plant with 150 workers.

It once had more than 400 employees. Siemens also laid off 570 people at its Fort Madison, Iowa, plant and 62 others around the country.

Brownback Says Wind Tax Credit Should Be Phased Out, But Not Now

Stephen Koranda — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:53:50 +0000

Governor Sam Brownback is continuing his push for an extension of a wind energy tax credit. It helps make wind power cheaper, and it's set to expire at the end of the year.

The credit has driven the development of wind power. Brownback says the credit has a big impact on wind energy jobs in Kansas. He would like to see it phased out more slowly over the next three or four years.

"I don't disagree with those that believe this should be phased out. I think it should be, but I think just to go all of a sudden drop from 30 percent to zero in one year," says Brownback.

Top Morning News 11.14.12

Briana O’Higgins — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 11:30:30 +0000

Council of economic advisors to the governor meets to discuss the aviation industry; Brownback speaks out about the wind Production Tax Credit; Case of electioneering surfaces in McPherson.

Gov.'s Council Meets To Discuss Growth In Aviation

The Kansas Governor's Council of Economic Advisors met in Wichita yesterday to discuss ways of increasing revenue - and the global competitiveness of the aviation industry.

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Top Morning News 10.15.12

Briana O’Higgins — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 11:13:44 +0000

GOP Senators Say Problem Gambling Money Misspent

Siemens To Lay Off 150 Workers In Hutch

Stephen Koranda — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 12:12:16 +0000

The company Siemens will lay off around 150 workers at their facility in Hutchinson.