News Release, Kansas Geological Survey, Nov. 17, 2003
LAWRENCE--A series of more than 60 recommendations aimed at easing the impact of rising natural gas prices and insuring adequate supplies has been submitted to Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius from the State's Energy Resources Coordination Council.
The recommendations came from an October summit on natural gas that was organized by the Council. The Council is a 13-member group charged by the Governor with studying and reporting on the state's energy situation. Lee Allison, director of the Kansas Geological Survey, based at the University of Kansas, is the Council chair.
Recommendations for immediate action involve increased funding and activity under the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a federal program that helps home-owners undertake weatherization projects.
Other, more long-term recommendations from the summit include increasing energy education efforts, consolidating and funding energy planning in Kansas, changing tax law, encouraging energy conservation and efficiency, changing oil and gas regulations, encouraging cooperation between state energy-assistance programs and agencies, changing utility rate structures, and encouraging production from the Hugoton natural gas field.
"Tight supplies of natural gas are expected to continue for much of the coming decade, which will tend to keep prices high," said Allison. "Resolving these issues will involve simultaneous efforts to increase supplies, reduce demand, and encourage reliance on alternative energy sources."
The day-long summit was held at the request of Governor Sebelius and drew approximately 150 energy experts, who collaborated on the recommendations.
The Energy Council will also use these recommendations in preparing its annual energy plan, to be presented to the Governor, the Kansas Corporation Commission, and the Legislature in January.
Copies of the summit's recommendation are available on the Council's web site (at http://www.kansasenergy.org/natlgas_summit.htm).