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The Energy Task Force of the Senator Roberts Science and Technology Advisory Committee strives to identify opportunities for enhancement of federal funding for energy-related research and development activities in Kansas. Kansas' energy research is conducted largely in oil and gas exploration and production, energy use efficiency and conservation, and alternative energy development. These activities are scattered through the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, the electric utilities, including Western Resources, and the independent oil and gas industry.
Kansas is a net energy exporter. One goal of the Task Force is to maintain that position. Kansas is the eighth-ranking oil producer in the country, and the seventh-ranking natural gas producing state (federal offshore is considered a separate state). Kansas no longer produces appreciable coal, owing to high sulfur content. Western Resources is a major electric energy provider, drawing on coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy sources, and operates a small wind farm. Energy production is a major local and state taxpayer and a direct contributor to the Kansas economy.
Task Force membership is drawn from all energy sectors, and operates independently of the Senator Roberts Advisory Committee. Membership on the task force does not imply membership on the advisory committee. Membership of the Task Force is flexible, with members being added or subtracted as conditions change. It is purely a volunteer activity.
Current activities of the Task Force include assessing the status of state and regional energy research, development of possible funding and organizational avenues for expansion of current activities, and identification of needed new programs. A workshop of involved and interested people is planned.
The Energy Task Force is actively pursuing ways to stimulate federal investment in energy research and development in Kansas. At its December meeting in Topeka, the task force identified several new opportunities for major program development, and is searching for additional opportunities. Kansas is a net energy exporter. To maintain that position requires extensive development of Kansas’ energy resources, both fossil fuel resources and other alternative energy resources. To that end, the task force is planning a conference on Kansas’ energy research funding needs, framed by current activities and projected new programs that are technically feasible.
One new program initiated by the University of Kansas Energy Research Center and the Kansas Geological Survey has received unanimous approbation by the task force: The development of a Midcontinent Energy Research Center. Details are in a separate section in this report. In 1992 Congress authorized the establishment of such a center through the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (Section 2015). The act provided for the Secretary of Energy to establish the center in response to the finding that the petroleum resources of the midcontinent region of the United States are very large but are being prematurely abandoned. The Congress assigned research tasks:
Research programs conducted by the Center may include:
In the elections of 1992, changes made funding the center impractical, but a new initiative by the University of Kansas Energy Center and Kansas Geological Survey has brought the Center to the forefront once again. The Energy Task Force supports the concept and its funding, because of the multi-institutional current approach, planned broadening of the energy research base, and regionalization of program, as being helpful to Kansas and advancing the Kansas pre-eminent research position. The task force will recommend to Senator Roberts that he support and lead the Senate side effort to fund this Center.
Planning for a "Energy Research Plan for Kansas" conference of researchers and interested energy research parties is in the early planning stages. The Energy Task Force will be the convenor, and the KU Energy Research Center will be the operator. We will communicate further details when they are available. The purpose of the conference will be to identify new program possibilities, discuss how to maintain the Kansas’ energy exports, and how to increase federal investment in energy research in Kansas. The concept would focus on the MERC 'as the spotlight’, with independent oil and gas producers providing much of the rationale to move forward. The program should be impartial, and should provide leadership to the greater community on energy research needs and benefits. Regional emphasis and multi-institutional participation would be critical.
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