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KS Senators Urge Fed to Adjust Electricity Transmission Costs
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Marshall, M.D. and Jerry Moran (R-KS) wrote a letter to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) urging the commission to adjust their electricity transmission costs that are disproportionately hurting Kansas consumers.
Currently, Kansans are paying an absurd amount to transport wind energy generated in Kansas to other states. In fact, Kansans are paying for 67% of the transmission costs for the energy but only need to use about 30% of it.
Last October, the FERC issued a ruling that would have fixed this unfair cost allocation but recently reversed that decision. In the letter, the senators call on the FERC to immediately reinstate the original ruling and ensure Kansas energy consumers are not subsidizing neighboring states energy usage.
“Kansas ratepayers are being penalized by bureaucrats in Washington for providing critical energy resources across the country,” Senator Marshall said. “At a time when Kansans are paying more by double digits for just about everything due to inflation, FERC’s recent waiver reversal just rubs salt in the wound for Kansas consumers. The current framework is unfair; Kansans should not have to subsidize energy costs for neighboring states, it’s that simple.”
“Kansas is home to an abundance of energy production, but families and businesses have been paying inflated transmission costs as a result of FERC procedure,” Senator Moran said. “It is FERC’s statutory obligation to make sure costs are allocated in a manner that is roughly commensurate with the benefits received. I urge the commission to work with stakeholders to create a reasonable cost allocation plan that does not overburden Kansas ratepayers.”
Highlights from the letter include:
“I write to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to reinstate its order accepting the Southwest Power Pool, Inc.’s (SPP) tariff filing that was issued in this proceeding on October 28, 2022… SPP’s filing created a process to resolve the unreasonable allocation of costs for transmission facilities in geographic portions of the SPP region that have experienced rapid expansion of new wind generation resources,” the Senators wrote.
“FERC’s recent reversal of its order accepting SPP’s filing means that Kansans alone will continue to pay unreasonably high transmission rates for facilities that benefit the entire SPP region,” the Senators continued.
“In recent years, Kansas has been in the top five states in the country in terms of both the level of wind energy supplying electricity generation in Kansas and the annual growth of wind capacity in Kansas. However, as discussed below, the overwhelming majority of the wind generation in the Sunflower Zone is not affiliated with any customer in the Zone and is instead exported to the SPP region,” the Senators said.
“As you are also aware, the excessive level of transmission costs allocated to the Sunflower Zone as a result of the influx of wind generation in the State of Kansas is a consequence of SPP’s “Highway/Byway” (HWBW) cost allocation methodology. Under the HWBW methodology, the costs for reliability and economic upgrades that are identified in SPP’s transmission planning process are allocated among individual SPP Zones and the entire SPP region based on the voltage level and location of transmission facilities,” the Senators wrote.
You may click HERE to read the full letter.
Apprenticeships Increase in Kansas
Governor Kelly Celebrates Nearly 40% Increase in Apprentices Since Creation of Office of Registered Apprenticeship One Year Ago
TOPEKA – Today marks one year since Governor Laura Kelly established the Office of Registered Apprenticeship through Executive Order 22-07. The Office was created to strengthen workforce development and grow the economy by modernizing and expanding apprenticeship opportunities and by building partnerships with educational institutions.
Since Governor Kelly’s executive order, Kansas has made great strides in expanding apprenticeship opportunities: There has been a 37.9% increase in Kansans participating in apprenticeships since September 2022, with nearly 4,400 apprentices in Kansas today. In addition, the Office has expanded the type of occupations in which Kansans can gain experience: 49 new job titles have been added, resulting in a total of 107 occupations in the apprenticeship pipeline.
“Through the Office of Registered Apprenticeship, we are helping Kansans gain the skills they need to get jobs that don’t require a college degree – and we’re developing the workforce needed to attract new businesses to the state,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “Because of our efforts, Kansas continues to lead the nation as the state with the most business investment per capita.”
All Registered Apprenticeship programs must have five core components to be recognized for certification, including on-the-job training, related technical instruction, mentorship, wage progression, and industry-recognized credentials. However, the driving force must be a business or industry willing to support an apprentice to “earn and learn” a career.
“Registered apprenticeship is an increasingly central component of our efforts to build up the Kansas workforce,” Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of Commerce David Toland said. “Our purposeful economic development is creating thousands of new opportunities for hard-working Kansans across the state.”
Since the creation of this office, there has been a 38.8% increase in the completion of apprenticeship programs – from 129 program completers in 2022 to 179 in 2023.
“We are executing a targeted plan to expand high-quality registered apprenticeships, and we are showing results across the entire state of Kansas,” said Shonda Anderson, Director of the Kansas Office of Apprenticeship. “Most importantly, we are bridging partnerships with our labor unions, business and industry, local workforce boards, non-profits, higher education, and even cross-departmental partnerships.”
Governor Kelly has also taken other actions to support apprenticeships, including:
- Governor Kelly signed the Kansas Apprenticeship Act to promote and expand apprenticeships for the most in-demand industries in Kansas through tax credits and grants.
- U.S. Department of Labor awarded Kansas $6.3 million to “Lead Apprenticeship Results in Kansas.” With this, the Office of Registered Apprenticeships will work with stakeholders to grow teacher educator apprenticeships, inside and outside justice involved apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and other programs in Kansas’ most in-demand industries.
- Kansas was selected to participate in the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) Policy Academy to Advance Youth Apprenticeship. Through the Policy Academy, Kansas will develop a strategy to expand apprenticeship opportunities to youth ages 16 and older to help them build the skills needed for the modern workforce.
- The Office of Registered Apprenticeship launched a statewide Teacher Educator Apprenticeship Program, making Kansas home to one of the most innovative teacher-educator apprenticeship programs, allowing para-educators to obtain their bachelor’s degree and gain a Kansas Teaching certificate while being paid to teach in the classroom from day one.
- The Office is using $4.7 million in grants to expand registered apprenticeships in the care economy, IT sectors, construction, and more.
More information on Kansas Registered Apprenticeships can be found on the Kansas Department of Commerce website.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 7
Obituary of Cherokee Springston
Cherokee Rose Springston, age 34, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at the Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas.
She was born April 17, 1989, in Pittsburg, the daughter of Jimmie Kimler and Donna Rose Chaplin. Before her cancer diagnosis, Cherokee worked at the Medicalodge in Ft. Scott and later as the manager of a McDonald’s in Oklahoma.
She married Rick Springston on July 27, 2022, in Ft. Scott.
Cherokee loved the outdoors and taking rides on the motorcycle. She also liked to draw and do crafts.
She was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Survivors include her husband, Rick of the home and her children, Alize Kimler, Zaida, Hilario, Xander and Jovany Gomez. Also surviving are her mother, Donna Chaplin, a brother, Jody Chaplin and a sister, Dawnelle Orenstein. Cherokee was preceded in death by her father, Jimmie Kimler.
Services are pending at this time.
Bourbon County Coalition Meeting Minutes of Sept. 6
Bourbon County Inter-Agency Coalition
General Membership Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2023
- Welcome: Sixteen members representing fifteen agencies attended. Billie Jo informed the membership that as of August 31, the Coalition Board had assisted twenty families, including fifty children, with rent and utility assistance in the amount of $4,618.67. The Board budgets $650.00 per month for this assistance. She also mentioned that the Board had issued thirty-one family passes to the Fort Scott Aquatic Center. After the contribution by the City of Fort Scott, the passes cost the Board $2,415.
- Member Introductions and Announcements:
- Abigail Striler, SEK Mental Health: They will soon be in their new location at the former Mercy Hospital building in Suites B and C; client will enter through the front sliding doors and watch for directional signs.
- Sandy Haggard, RSVP: The next blood drive will be on October 16 and 17 which is a Monday and Tuesday; contact Sandy to volunteer.
- Lea Kay Karleskint, K-State Research and Extension: “Create Better Health” classes will begin on Wednesday, October 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Fort Scott Housing Authority Commons area, 315 Scott Avenue; classes will meet for six weeks. Beginning October 17, the “Fresh Conversations” classes will begin meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at 1:00 p.m. for eleven consecutive months; these classes will be in the same location. For more information on these free classes, contact Lea Kay at [email protected] or 620-224-0182.
- Cynthia Tucker, Loving Grace: The house in Joplin will be at full capacity by the end of the week; they serve women aged 18-24.
- Allen Schellack, Compassionate Ministries and Salvation Army: They are presently continuing the fan distribution but will be transitioning to space heaters, blankets, etc. very soon; the goal of these projects is to make people comfortable. Allen has also started Homeless transient packs which include basic needs items. Since many organizations provide for elementary children when school begins, his organization concentrated on school supplies to sixth grade through high school students. These and the many other things done by the organizations are funded through grants and donations.
- David Gillen, Beacon: Beacon continues to provide food distribution twice each month. They served 744 people in August who made up 313 families of which 17 were new families. 2023 is averaging 17 new families each month. Beacon is always looking for volunteers.
- Michelle Stevenson, USD 234: She has instituted a private facebook page for the families involved in the USD 234 Early Childhood program. She does have some openings in her program at the present time.
- COPE: The new Bourbon County transportation through SEK CAP is running and going well. At present, transportation is available from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
- Dee Dee Fever, Community Liaison through Greenbush: They now have online training for parents and paras. All the programs and services can be found on the Greenbush website. The early Childhood Forum is active once each month until April. Scan cards are available for easy access to all services available in your district.
- Melanie Wiles, Gentiva Hospice: Gentiva Hospice, Angels Care Home Health, and Cornerstone Caregiving are bringing Lisa Hemby, Midwest Medicare Solutions, and Beth Dye, Eligibility Specialist for Kancare to Homer Cole, 3003 N. Joplin, Pittsburg, on October 6, 11 a.m to 2:00 p.m. For more information on this free program, call 620-232-0602.
- Travis Wilcoxsen and Kathy Romero, Angel Care Home Health: They provide in-home care and many other programs to help keep people in their own homes. They also cautioned members to be sure to look at Medicare billings for their clients due to recent fraud charges.
- Patty Simpson, FS Housing Authority: All 194 apartments are rented based on income, but there is a waiting list for every size apartment; however, they will continue to take applications. Wait time for an apartment could be six months.
- Maggie Young, CHC: She offers tobacco treatment services and tobacco cessation classes through CHC.
- Program: Cherri Walrod, Core Communities. Cherri explained how she and her family came back to Fort Scott after twenty-two years and connected with Core Communities. Fifteen percent, approximately 2,100 people, in Bourbon County live in poverty. Addressing the poverty issue will help address many of the other aspects of life. Poverty is a community issue and must be addressed by the community. Core Communities is a chapter affiliate of Youth Core Ministries based out of Greensburg, KS. Poverty is defined as “anywhere a person lacks resource.” Core Communities is about bringing families experiencing poverty to a safe place where their voices are heard and they are treated with honor and dignity. Launch date for the program is November 13 with space for thirty participants. For more information on the program and how one can help or enroll, contact Cherri at [email protected] or 795-917-0361.
- Open Forum: The October 4 program will be presented by Alisha Turner, Kansas Children’s Service League; November 1 we will hear from Travis Wilcoxsen and Kathy Romero, Angel Care Home Health; and in December we will hear more about Maggie Young’s work with tobacco cessation.
- Adjournment: The next General Membership meeting will be October 4.
City Works to Replenish Water to Marmaton River From Lake Fort Scott
The City of Fort Scott staff opened the Lake Fort Scott valve four turns today to help replenish some of the water lost in Rock Creek, according to Brad Matkin, the city manager.
The city gets its water supply from the Marmaton River, as do many outlying areas. The 50-acre Rock Creek Lake is an integral part of the city and rural water reserve systems.
“The Marmaton River is down to 8.3′ and we need it to be 9.5′-10′,” he said. “We will monitor this for the next several days. Still in Water Warning stage #1. There is a video on the City of Fort Scott’s Facebook page.”
Bourbon County was declared by Governor Kelly that it is in a drought emergency in mid-August.
HBCAT Grant: Hulbert’s Jewelry LLC
This is part of a series featuring the grant recipients of the Healthy Bourbon County Action Team’s Center For Economic Growth in their latest grant cycle.
This grant cycle, they awarded grants to nine area businesses.
The Healthy Bourbon County Action Team Grant Program is funded by the Patterson Family Foundation and is a collaborative effort through partnerships with the Kansas Small Business Development Center at Pittsburg State and Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.
Hulbert’s Jewelry, LLC,(doing business as Bartelsmeyer Jewelry) owners, Wyatt and Krysta Hulbert became owners of the local jewelry story in historic downtown Fort Scott on July 5, 2023.
Krysta noted however, that the jewelry store has been a part of Fort Scott’s history since 1904.
“Wyatt and I are thrilled and honored to be able to continue the tradition of this long-standing business in downtown Fort Scott, Kansas,” she said. “We are dedicated to upholding the same commitment to quality customer service, and craftsmanship, to ensure that the store will endure through another generation. We hope to have the support of the whole community as we step into a new and exciting future!”
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, I have been the familiar face that greets you at the door for the last 13 years working for John and Cindy Bartelsmeyer,” Krysta said. “I truly enjoy my job and have had the amazing opportunity to develop many wonderful relationships with the people in my community because of working at Bartelsmeyer Jewelry. As John and Cindy started to consider retirement, I began discussing the possibility of buying the jewelry store with my husband Wyatt.”
It took about a year to finalize the sale to the Hulberts.
“At Bartelsmeyer Jewelry, you will find a curated collection of new gold and silver jewelry, from delicate necklaces, earrings, and bracelets to bold statement pieces and permanent jewelry,” she said. “We carry a wide array of estate jewelry, and our designs encompass a range of styles to suit every taste. We also have a sparkling selection of engagement rings and diamond jewelry, as well as a Custom Design Program that can make your unique vision into a tangible, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry.”
They also provide maintenance of jewelry.
“The store’s jewelry repair service encompasses everything from minor fixes to intricate restorations.” she said. “We offer ring repair, sizing, and soldering; stone setting and tightening; prong re-tipping; watch repair and battery replacement, jewelry appraisal services, and customized engraving.”
They also buy and sell gold and silver jewelry, coins, and bullion.
“We were so excited to be selected as one of the grant recipients!” she said. “We will be using the grant money for some much-needed tool and equipment updates, including a specialized diamond tester that will help us distinguish lab-grown diamonds from naturally mined diamonds. This will allow us to offer peace of mind to our customers as we dive into a new era in the diamond market.”
The jewelry store address is 22 North Main Street, Fort Scott, KS 66701
Contact info: Store Phone: 620-223-2070, Store Website: www.bartelsmeyerjewelry.com, Store E-mail: [email protected]
Funding to Create New Child Care/High Speed Internet Awarded Kansas
Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Awarded $40M to Build Community Multi-Purpose Facilities, Expand Access to Child Care
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund announced today that Kansas has been awarded $40 million from the U.S. Department of Treasury for a new program, the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator (CPF Accelerator). The program will provide local communities with funding to build or renovate multi-purpose facilities that create new licensed child care slots and provide Kansans access to high-speed internet for digital work, health, and education supports.
“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator Grant program is another example of how my administration is finding new ways to expand access to affordable, quality child care and other essential community services,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “This grant opportunity will enable more communities to work with local businesses to meet a pressing need for Kansas families.”
In June 2023, the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund’s Child Care Capacity Accelerator awarded more than $43 million to 52 organizations and partnerships across Kansas. The new CPF Accelerator grant opportunity builds on that momentum by providing prospective grantees a new funding source for the construction, renovation, or rehabilitation of community facilities and other capital improvement for community-driven projects and programs. This funding is the latest effort to support the state’s rapidly growing work in early childhood and boost communities in scaling up their facilities to serve families and children.
“The Capital Projects Fund Accelerator is another exciting chance to invest in the infrastructure needed to increase access to affordable, high-quality childcare as well as a full range of programs and services to help families meet basic needs,” said Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. “The Kansas Children’s Cabinet is proud to continue our work to champion community-driven solutions to the multi-faceted challenges facing families with young children today.”
The RFP is available here, with two submission deadline options. The first-round application deadline is Oct. 2, 2023, and the second-round deadline is Dec. 18, 2023. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund encourages applicants to decide which deadline is appropriate for their project as there is no advantage or consequence in applying by either deadline. Applications will be submitted online via the Kansas CommonApp portal.
Kansas was previously awarded $83.5 million from the Capital Projects Fund to build reliable broadband infrastructure and extend high-speed internet to more than 24,500 homes, businesses, schools, health care facilities, and other public institutions in underserved counties across the state. A portion of Kansas’ $40 million award for the CPF Accelerator will be used to assist in the administration of the program. Combined with the Child Care Capacity Accelerator Grant programs, these two funding opportunities will infuse more than $83 million into Kansas’ early childhood care and education sector.
Click here to learn more about the Capital Projects Fund Accelerator.
The Bourbon County Sheriff’s Office Daily Reports Sept. 6
U.S. Senator Jerry Moran Newsletter
Wishing Kansans a Happy Labor Day
Kansas is home to hard workers and major industries that support agriculture, aviation, health, science and more across our nation and the world. Thank you to all who contribute to make Kansas a great state to work, live and raise a family.
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Miles Across Kansas
While traveling across Kansas during the August Work Period, I added almost 6600 miles to my truck. Thank you to all the Kansans I met with during my time back home.
KS Tourism Grants Available
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