By KHI NEWS SERVICE

TOPEKA — The Kansasa Senate has referred a bill that would repeal the state’s renewable energy production requirements for utility companies to the Committee on Utilities.
Currently the Renewable Portfolio Standard requires utility companies to show a renewable energy generation capacity of 15 percent by 2016, and at least 20 percent by 2024. Senate Bill 433 would remove the requirements.

Repealing the requirements, according to wind energy supporters, would send a negative signal to companies looking to develop wind farms in Kansas.

The Kansas Chapter of Americans for Prosperity recently launched an ad campaign promoting the repeal. The group says the RPS is a government mandate that raises the prices of utilities for Kansas families and props up the wind energy industry.

The committee has yet to schedule a hearing on the bill.