Category Archives: Kansas

Business, Kansas

Energy Efficiency Programs for Kansas Customers: Evergy

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Evergy Seeks to Offer Energy Efficiency Programs for Kansas Customers

Evergy also Prepares to Ask MPSC to Extend Missouri Energy Efficiency Offerings.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Dec. 20, 2021 – On Friday, Dec. 17, Evergy proposed a suite of energy efficiency programs to the Kansas Corporation Commission. Evergy’s proposed programs would provide Kansas residential and business customers with $42 million in anticipated net bill savings, offer $13 million in enhanced assistance for low-income and rural customers, and would unlock community benefits through job creation, energy education and agency partnerships.

 

Evergy also is preparing to ask the Missouri Public Service Commission to extend the current package of energy efficiency programs being offered to Evergy’s Missouri customers.

 

“As energy efficiency products and technologies continue to evolve, Evergy wants to provide energy solutions to help Kansas customers with their energy efficiency needs,” said Chuck Caisley, Evergy senior vice president and chief customer officer. “We’ve been able to offer similar successful programs in Missouri and believe Kansas customers will embrace having choices that help them manage their energy costs.”

 

A 2021 Wichita State University study showed that Evergy’s Kansas customers want their utility to offer energy efficiency programs. Evergy has a long history of delivering successful cost-effective programs in Missouri, making it the ideal partner to help customers save energy and money. As the first utility in Missouri to make a strong commitment to energy efficiency, Evergy has helped more than 370,000 residents and 8,000 businesses save energy.

 

In Missouri, Evergy plans to ask to extend its 11 current programs with enhancements for one additional year through 2023. Through a set of programs that include measures like home energy audits, programmable thermostats, rebates for efficient lighting and other efficiency upgrades, Evergy has helped save customers more than 1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity since 2013. Missouri customers have seen more than $2 of benefit for each dollar spent toward energy efficiency programs. Extension of these programs is expected to bring another $23 million of net benefits to Evergy’s Missouri customers.

 

“The Evergy incentives that we are able to offer in Missouri help alleviate some of the cost concerns our customers have when wanting to purchase higher-end, more efficient equipment. These rebates provide even more value to the customer,” said Anthony Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, which participates as a trade-ally for residential energy efficiency programs. “Any additional rebates offered to customers will help them justify being able to spend more.”

 

“Customers want more ways to manage their energy and save money. The goal for our energy efficiency programs is to offer more innovative and personalized solutions that give customers more choices,” Caisley said. “We’re excited for the opportunity to provide our customers the latest in energy efficiency products and programs while continuing our role as a leader in customer programs within the utility industry.”

 

The programs proposed in Kansas are subject to review and approval by the Kansas Corporation Commission and an order would be anticipated in summer 2022. Programs are proposed to start in January 2023. The extension requested in Missouri is subject to approval by the Missouri Public Service Commission, and Evergy has requested a decision by spring 2022.

 

The programs are proposed under the Kansas Energy Efficiency Investment Act (KEEIA), which was passed by the Kansas Legislature and became effective on July 1, 2014. KEEIA was established to support the state’s goal of promoting the implementation of cost-effective demand-side programs in Kansas and the state policy to value demand -side program investments equal to traditional investments in supply and delivery infrastructure.  A similar law in Missouri has helped customers save millions of dollars in energy costs since programs began in 2013.

 

Kansas, Schools

Free School Meals Expanded

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Expanded Free, Reduced-Price School Meals in Kansas Schools

~Kansas one of eight states to participate in school meal demonstration project~

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced that Kansas has been selected as one of eight states to participate in a demonstration project utilizing Medicaid eligibility data to certify eligible students for free and reduced-price school meals.

“This project will expand free, reduced-priced meals for some of our most vulnerable students,” Governor Kelly said. “Our kids need reliable access to healthy foods to learn and grown, and this is great news for our state, students, and families.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service Mountain Plains Region made the announcement earlier this week. The Kansas State Department of Education is working in collaboration with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) on the project, said Cheryl Johnson, director of KSDE’s Child Nutrition and Wellness (CNW) team.

“Kansas is excited to be a part of this pilot project,” Janet Stanek, KDHE Acting Secretary, said. “This project will directly impact students on Medicaid and remove barriers to receiving healthy and nutritious meals while at school. According to the CDC, research shows that students who participate in the school meal programs consume more whole grains, milk, fruits, and vegetables during mealtimes and have better overall diet quality which ultimately has a positive effect on learning.”

The newest round of this demonstration project creates an important opportunity to further test the impact of Medicaid Direct Certification, which was first initiated through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.

Seven other states were also selected to participate in this round of the project: Alabama, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina and South Carolina.

The direct certification process makes it easier for children from low-income households to receive free and reduced-price school meals, according to the USDA. Historically, most students who receive free or reduced-price school meals have been certified based on information they submit in an application.

Families can also be deemed eligible because they participate in one of a few benefit programs, like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Adding Medicaid to the list of benefit programs that can directly certify a student to receive free or reduced-price meals is a win-win for students, families, and school officials, according to the USDA. This means less paperwork for families and fewer school meal applications for school districts to process and verify.

Since 2012-2013, USDA has authorized demonstration projects allowing states to test direct certification with Medicaid. With the addition of eight states this week, 27 states are now participating in these projects, representing approximately 75% of students nationwide, the USDA said.

An evaluation by USDA found that these projects allowed more than one million students to be certified for free meals and nearly 260,000 students for reduced-price meals in school year 2017-2018.

“This is a win-win for Kansas students, families and school districts,” said Cheryl Johnson, director Child Nutrition and Wellness for the Kansas State Department of Education. “This means school districts have fewer school meal applications to process and verify, and families have less paperwork to complete. It also helps ensure access to nutritious meals for all students, which fuels them for overall success.”

“Direct certification works to ensure children in need aren’t mistakenly left behind, and can decrease errors in school meal program administration,” said Cheryl Kennedy, USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, Mountain Plains Region administrator. “By eliminating applications, direct certification reduces the burden on families and schools and connects more children to the nutrition they need to succeed in school.”

For more information, visit the FNS webpage on Direct Certification.

About KSDE

The Kansas State Department of Education (www.ksde.org) provides leadership, resources, support and accountability to the state’s K-12 education system.  KSDE administers the state’s governance of education, standards and assessments, special education services, child nutrition and wellness, title programs and services, career and technical education, and financial aid. It is the goal of the agency to provide all Kansas children with equal access to a quality, high-level education that promotes student achievement and prepares all students for global success. 

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

KDHE Amends Travel & Exposure Related Quarantine List

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has amended its travel quarantine list to remove the countries of Austria, Belgium, Cayman Islands, Czechia, Gibraltar, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Netherlands, Slovakia and Slovenia. The country of Andorra has been added to the travel quarantine list. An unvaccinated individual should quarantine if they meet the following criteria:

  • Traveled between Nov. 4 and Dec. 17 to Slovenia.
  • Traveled between Nov. 18 and Dec. 17 to Austria, Cayman Islands and Gibraltar.
  • Traveled between Dec. 2 and Dec. 17 to Belgium, Czechia, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Netherlands and Slovakia.
  • Traveled on or after Dec. 17 to Andorra.
  • Attendance at any out-of-state or in-state mass gatherings of 500 or more where individuals do not socially distance (6 feet) and wear a mask.
  • Been on a cruise ship or river cruise on or after March 15, 2020.

The next travel quarantine list update will be sent out during the first week of January.

The travel and mass gathering quarantine period is seven days with a negative test result or 10 days without testing, with release from quarantine on Day 8 and Day 11, respectively. Further information on quarantine periods can be found on KDHE’s website.

For those traveling internationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is requiring testing within three days of flights into the U.S. For further information on this and other requirements, visit their website.

For those who are fully vaccinated (meaning it has been greater than two weeks since they completed their vaccinations) they are not required to quarantine regarding travel or mass gatherings if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Are fully vaccinated (i.e., ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2- dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine).
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel.

Persons who do not meet the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel or mass gatherings.

Additionally, people with previous COVID-19 disease are not required to quarantine following travel if they meet all of the following criteria:

  • Have evidence of a previous infection supported by a positive PCR or antigen test
  • Are within 6 months following infection. If an investigation was done documenting the date that symptoms resolved, or the date isolation measures were discontinued for asymptomatic patients, then the 6-month period can start from that end date. If those dates are not available, then the period will start from the date of the positive laboratory test. A serology or antibody test may not be substituted for a laboratory report of a viral diagnostic test.
  • Have remained asymptomatic since the travel

Persons who do not meet all three of the above criteria should continue to follow current quarantine guidance for travel.

The travel quarantine list is determined using a formula to evaluate new cases over a two-week period, then adjusted for population size to provide a case rate per 100,000 population. This provides a number that can then be compared to the rate in Kansas. Locations with significantly higher rates — approximately 3x higher — are added to the list.

For more information on COVID-19, please visit the KDHE website at kdhe.ks.gov/coronavirus.

COVID-19, Government, Health Care, Kansas

First confirmed case of Omicron variant detected by State Lab

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COVID-19 Courtesy photo.

 

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) today announced that the state Health and Environmental Laboratories has found the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in one Kansas resident.

The Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories are screening all current positive PCR COVID-19 samples received at the lab to look for a specific genetic characteristic that would indicate the Omicron variant. Any samples that screen positive will be sequenced for confirmation of the Omicron variant. Additionally, the lab sequences a random sample of PCR positive COVID-19 samples regardless of whether they pass this screening process. This multi-pronged approach led to the detection of the variant.

“Since the Omicron variant was classified as a Variant of Concern, KDHE’s Kansas Health and Environmental Laboratories has been working to identify the variant in the state. Through genomic sequencing, they were able to confirm the first case of the Omicron variant in Kansas,” Janet Stanek, Acting Secretary, said. “The detection of the variant does not come as a surprise. This virus is highly infectious and transmittable. We must do our part to protect ourselves and those around us by using the tools available to us.”

The individual with the Omicron variant is a vaccinated adult in Franklin County. This individual has not received a booster dose. No additional details will be released to protect the privacy of the individual.

Health officials urge Kansans to use the following tools to protect against COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

  • Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the best tool to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The three authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations, and death. Scientists expect the vaccines to prevent serious illness, hospitalizations, and death in people infected with the Omicron variant. COVID-19 vaccines are now authorized for people ages 5 and over. The COVID-19 booster shots are authorized for all individuals ages 16 and over. To find a vaccine near you, visit Vaccines.gov.
  • Wear a mask. Masks offer protection against all variants. It is recommended that people wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings in Kansas, where COVID-19 transmission remains high, regardless of vaccination status.
  • Get tested. If you are sick or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, it is recommended that you get tested for COVID-19. COVID-19 tests are available across Kansas. Go to KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com to find a free testing location near you.

    At-home tests are available for purchase at grocery stores and pharmacies. These can be used at home, work or anywhere and can provide rapid results. If a positive result is received through an at-home test, individuals should follow up with a health care provider about a confirmation test.

  • Social distance. When in public settings, stay at least 6 feet from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting sick.

Kansas

I-70 Opened: Use Extra Caution

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I-70 open to traffic in Kansas,

motorists still urged to use extra caution

As of about 5:40 p.m., the Kansas Department of Transportation opened both directions of I-70 in Kansas.

Numerous highways in western and south central Kansas were closed for several hours today due to high winds, low visibility from blowing dust, downed power lines and crashes blocking the roadways.

All highways have now been opened traffic, but motorists should continue to use extra caution and avoid travel if possible. Some winds and blowing dust are expected to continue into the evening.

KDOT encourages travelers to “know before you go.” For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, visit www.kandrive.org, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

Government, Kansas

Broadband Acceleration Grant Announced

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Governor Laura Kelly Announces Broadband Acceleration Grant Program Submission Window

TOPEKA – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced the application window for Broadband Acceleration Grant Program submissions.

“Access to high-speed internet is critical for Kansans to access health care, education, and compete in an increasingly digital economy,” Governor Kelly said. “My administration is committed to getting every Kansas home and business connected. I encourage anyone who qualifies to apply for this round of Broadband Acceleration Grants.”

The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program is critical in Kansas’ plan to address broadband gaps statewide. Funds will be targeted to areas that are unlikely to receive broadband service without state or federal funding support.

Launched in 2020, the program is poised to invest $85 million over 10 years to bridge the digital divide in Kansas, thanks to broadband modernization funding provided by the Kelly Administration’s bipartisan Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program (IKE).

Applicants may make a maximum grant request of $1 million that requires a 50% match for the construction of high quality, reliable broadband infrastructure in Kansas. The program prioritizes applications that address unserved areas, economically distressed communities and areas with compelling needs. The deadline for the intent to apply is Friday, January 14, 2022, with final applications due by noon on February 11, 2022.

“Broadband Acceleration Grants are a powerful tool to provide more Kansans with the high-speed internet they need to compete economically and improve their quality of life,” Lieutenant Governor and Commerce Secretary David Toland said.  “We will continue building partnerships with innovative, visionary organizations on projects that give Kansas communities an edge now and well into the future.”

“The Broadband Acceleration Grant Program is one of the key building blocks we have put in place at the Kansas Office of Broadband Development (KOBD) to accelerate broadband expansion across the state and build upon the work we completed as part of the pandemic response programs,” KOBD Director Stanley Adams said. “We’ve long known of the significant digital divide in Kansas, and the pandemic reinforced what we need to do. We are prepared to seize the opportunity to connect every Kansan with the broadband access they need and deserve.”

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development will host the first webinar on the grant opportunity at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 16. Additional webinar opportunities are planned for January.

To submit your intent to apply, please click here.

For program information and webinar opportunities click here.

Since the summer of 2020, Governor Kelly’s efforts have spurred more than $75 million of total investment in broadband infrastructure in Kansas to address pandemic health, education and business challenges and spur community and economic development. The first program, the Connectivity Emergency Response Grant funded through the state SPARK program, generated more than $65 million in total investment through 66 broadband infrastructure projects completed across the state. Impacting rural communities in 74 of Kansas’ 105 counties, the program improved the availability of broadband access for more than 51,000 households, businesses and municipalities. The initial year of the Broadband Acceleration Grant invested an additional $10 million in state broadband grants and matching funds.

About the Kansas Office of Broadband Development

The Kansas Office of Broadband Development was established in 2020 by Governor Laura Kelly to help ensure all Kansans have the opportunity to live, work, learn and compete in a global economy by improving universal access to quality, affordable and reliable broadband.

About the Kansas Department of Commerce

As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Commerce accomplishes its mission by developing relationships with corporations, site location consultants and stakeholders in Kansas, the nation and world. Our strong partnerships allow us to help create an environment for existing Kansas businesses to grow and foster an innovative, competitive landscape for new businesses. Through Commerce’s project successes, Kansas in 2021 was awarded Area Development Magazine’s prestigious Gold Shovel award and was named Site Selection Magazine’s Best Business Climate in the West North Central region of the United States. Find the Department’s strategic plan for economic growth here: Kansas Framework for Growth.

Kansas

Excessive Wind Closes Highways in Kansas

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Winds extend I-70 closure, many more highways

closed across the state
As of about 3:50 p.m., the Kansas Department of Transportation has extended the westbound I-70 closure from Salina to the Colorado state line, the eastbound closure continues on I-70 from Goodland to Russell.

Numerous other highways in western and south central Kansas are also closed because of low visibility from blowing dust and crashes blocking the roadways. The map below highlights the closures.

Most of the highways closed earlier this afternoon continued to be closed to the traveling public.

Additional closures should be expected to continue into the evening. For up-to-date information on road closures and road conditions, visit www.kandrive.org, or call 511 in Kansas or 866-511-5368 outside Kansas.

Map

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Kansas

Heavy Winds are Causing Power Outages

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Evergy Crews Responding as Windy Conditions Persist

KANSAS CITY, MO. – Dec. 15, 2021 – Due to heavy winds across Kansas and Missouri, Evergy crews are responding to power outages to restore power to affected customers. As of mid-afternoon Wednesday, outages were limited and scattered, but gusty winds (up to 70 mph) are expected to become more intense through midnight Wednesday.

Proactive maintenance work, including tree trimming, helps reduce the impact of storms and wind on the power grid, but prolonged or extreme winds still pose a threat to the power grid and may cause outages.

Customers are encouraged to take steps to prepare for potential outages. Keep phones and other electronics charged. Have flashlights, batteries, water and non-perishable food on hand, as well as a communication plan for family members to connect if an emergency situation occurs.

Customers may report outages at Evergy.com. They also may sign up for outage text alerts when their account is registered online. Evergy’s automated outage reporting lines can accept thousands of calls per hour to serve customers in need.. Outages may be reported by phone at:

    • Evergy Central 1-800-LIGHTKS (800-544-4857) or
    • Evergy Metro, Missouri West 1-888-LIGHTKC (888-544-4852)

Coming into contact, even indirectly, with a power line can cause extreme injury and could be fatal. High winds and storms could cause tree limbs to blow into power lines or result in downed powerlines. If a branch or other debris is in contact with a power line, do not attempt to remove it. Assume downed power lines are energized and keep a distance of at least 10 feet from them. If a downed line is in a heavily trafficked area, report it to 9-1-1. Downed lines can also be reported via Evergy’s outage reporting lines.

 

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Government, Health Care, Kansas

KDHE Launches New Initiatives to Address Maternal Mortality

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office on Women’s Health to receive funding as part of the State, Local, Territorial, and Tribal Partnership Programs to Reduce Maternal Deaths due to Violence. Additionally, KDHE, in partnership with Kansas Perinatal Quality Collaborative (KPQC), has been accepted to enroll into the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (AIM) for the October 2021 cohort. The Kansas maternal mortality rate of 14.8 (2014-2018) is 29.8% higher than the Healthy People 2020 goal of 11.4 maternal deaths per 100,0000 live births. These initiatives will help address the urgent matter of maternal mortality in Kansas.

“These initiatives will provide vital education and training to patients and providers across the state of Kansas,” said Janet Stanek Acting Secretary. “We are thankful for the ongoing collaboration with our partners across the state to implement these key initiatives to help in reducing the maternal mortality rate.”

Maternal Anti-Violence Innovation and Sharing Project

Through Kansas Maternal Mortality Review Committee (KMMRC) case reviews of maternal deaths in Kansas between 2016-2018, homicide was the second leading cause of maternal deaths with substance use disorder and/or mental health contributing to more than half of all pregnancy-associated deaths.

KDHE will work collaboratively with partners at the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KCSDV), Kansas Connecting Communities (KCC), the KPQC and the KMMRC to launch the Maternal Anti-Violence Innovation and Sharing (MAVIS) Project to reduce maternal deaths in Kansas due to homicide and suicide.

The MAVIS Project will continue to build and expand on the success of the KMMRC to gather additional data related to violent maternal deaths. Additionally, the MAVIS Project will provide cross-training to perinatal care providers and domestic violence service providers related to perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, perinatal substance use and intimate partner violence.

Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health

KMMRC has determined that approximately one in four deaths of women during or within one year of pregnancy were pregnancy-related, and over 90% of these deaths were preventable.

The Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health will implement a maternal quality initiative project based on their Postpartum Discharge Transition Patient Safety Bundle. It offers a national forum to exchange innovative ideas and a resource for continuous improvement in maternal safety and quality.

Additional Maternal Health Initiatives

KDHE has partnered with KPQC to launch the Fourth Trimester Initiative (FTI), a statewide effort focused on improving maternal health and decreasing maternal morbidity and mortality for all Kansas mothers. FTI uses a three-pronged collaborative approach to address maternal health by including the patient, private and public sectors in education and awareness efforts, including over 25 birthing facilities across the state.

KDHE’s Maternal Warning Signs Initiative (MWS), a component of the FTI project, provides patient, partner and community education throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period on key topics such as the signs of preterm birth and stillbirth, perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, and warning signs of life-threatening pregnancy-related complications.

More information on maternal and child health is available on our website, kdheks.gov/c-f/mch.htm.

Government, Kansas

Tyson Receives Legislator of the Year Award

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Kansas Senator Caryn Tyson recently received Legislator of the Year Award.

Tyson received national recognition as legislator of the year for her leadership and work on Property Tax Transparency, Senate Bill (SB) 13.

Tyson researched and led an effort in Kansas to stop automatic tax increases solely due to property valuation increases.  SB 13 is being used as model legislation by other states.

 

Tyson said she was humbled and honored for the recognition.

She stated, “For years Kansans have been facing continued increases in their property taxes, being left with little to no say, resulting in some opting to leave Kansas rather than continue to pay high taxes.  With the passage of SB 13, the shell game of who raised your property taxes will end.  Local property taxing authorities will have to vote at a public meeting to raise property taxes in order to collect more money than the previous year.”  Tyson went on to thank others, “solutions of this magnitude do not occur in a vacuum.  It takes a team of people, many of us who spent time and effort.” Tyson drew upon her business experience to design and implement this system in Kansas.

 

In addition to Property Tax Transparency, SB 13 prohibits an increase in the appraised value of real property solely as a result of normal repair, replacement, or maintenance of existing structures, equipment, or other improvements on the property, allows County Treasurers to establish property tax payment plans, and removes the ineffective tax lid.

 

Tyson has math and computer science degrees from Kansas State and an engineering management degree from KU. After graduating K-State she began working in the Information Technology industry and continued working in this field for more than 30 years.

She is in the running for the Kansas State Treasurer position.

 

COVID-19, Government, Kansas

KDHE Update on the Omicron Variant

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) continues to sequence positive COVID-19 samples and has not yet identified the Omicron variant in Kansas. While there is more to learn about Omicron, the same prevention methods used throughout the pandemic remain the best tools to help stop the spread of the virus and prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death. The SARS-CoV-2 Variants tab on the COVID-19 Dashboard is updated Monday, Wednesday and Friday and includes the total count of Omicron cases in the state. When the first case of the Omicron variant is identified, KDHE will issue a statement—identifying information such as age, location and gender will not be released to protect the individual’s privacy.

What We Know about Omicron

  • Reports from South Africa suggest the Omicron variant spreads more easily than the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and the Delta virus.
  • More data is needed to understand the severity of infections caused by the Omicron variant.
  • Current vaccines are expected to protect against severe illness, hospitalizations and deaths due to infection with the Omicron variant. However, breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people are likely to occur. One early study showed that getting a booster dose of Pfizer vaccine may protect against infection with Omicron. The recent emergence of Omicron further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters.
  • Scientists are working to determine how well existing treatments for COVID-19 work on the Omicron variant.

Tools to Protect Yourselves from COVID-19 and the Omicron variant

Get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccines remain the best tool to protect people from COVID-19, slow transmission and reduce the likelihood of new variants emerging. The three authorized COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective in preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death and scientists expect they will also prevent serious illness, hospitalizations and death in people infected with the Omicron variant. COVID-19 vaccines are now authorized for people aged 5 and over. The COVID-19 booster shots are authorized for all adults aged 18 and over.

Wear a mask. Masks offer protection against all variants. It is recommended that people wear a well-fitting mask in public indoor settings in Kansas where COVID-19 transmission remains high, regardless of vaccination status.

Get tested. If you are sick or have been in close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19, it is recommended that you get tested for COVID-19. COVID-19 tests are available across Kansas. Go to KnowBeforeYouGoKS.com to find a free testing location near you.

Social distance. When in public settings, stay at least 6 feet from other people, especially if you are at higher risk of getting sick.

At home tests are available for purchase at grocery stores and pharmacies. These can be used at home, work or anywhere and can provide rapid results.

Business, Kansas

KCC approves agreement with Evergy on electric vehicle programs

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TOPEKA – As automakers move toward electric vehicles (EV), Kansas consumers will now have options to make the switch more affordable.

This afternoon, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approved a settlement agreement negotiated between its staff, the Citizens Utility Ratepayer Board (CURB) and Evergy to allow the company to offer rebates on the installation of a 240V outlet or hardwired EV charger.

There are two rebate options. Customers who elect a Time of Use (TOU) rate plan qualify for a $500 rebate. Those not electing the TOU rate will qualify for a $250 rebate. In addition, new Time of Use (TOU) rates will promote off-peak overnight vehicle charging at lower costs per kilowatt hour (kWh).

Commercial customers are also eligible to participate.

According to staff and CURB, the settlement should have relatively little impact on rates.

Other than adding two new off-peak rates for electric vehicle charging: the TOU electric vehicle transit service rate; and the business electric vehicle charging service rate, the settlement does not change the level of current rates.

Long-term, electric vehicle charging has the potential to reduce costs for all customers by spreading the utility’s fixed costs among more users.

Evergy will be permitted to submit the costs for rebates, customer education, and administration of the program for Commission review in its next rate case.

Evergy currently owns and operates a shareholder funded Clean Charge Network (CCN) with more than 900 public charging stations.

There are currently 29 CCN stations in the Kansas Central jurisdiction, 267 in Kansas Metro, 393 in Missouri Metro, and 244 in the Missouri West jurisdiction.

Evergy requested preapproval to expand the network and seek recovery of those investments from ratepayers in future rate cases.

The Commission denied the request for preapproval as premature given the availability of federal dollars earmarked for EV charging stations.

Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Kansas would expect to receive $40 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state.

Kansas will also have the opportunity to apply for the $2.5 billion in grant funding dedicated to EV charging in the bill.

Today’s order can be viewed at http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=a9dd7497-818f-4bc9-a78c-3a52022e465a

A recording of the meeting is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVuoBJitOqM