The Dotte

Brownback Puts Energy Smart Home Program at Risk

Governor Sam Brownback’s administration is pulling the plug on a popular and growing program set-up to assist Kansans get no interest loans to make energy efficiency upgrades to their homes. The program, Efficiency Kansas, is funded with federal stimulus dollars which are repaid by homeowners with the money they save on utility bills after making the energy improvements.

In Wyandotte County, the program is called Energy Smart Homes and is operated as a partnership between the Unified Government and Board of Public Utilities. The Energy Smart Homes program launched in late 2010. So far, more than 700 local residents have inquired about the program. More than 400 have been pre-approved, 325 are conducting energy audits and in the pipeline for no-interest loans to make energy efficient improvements. Nearly 70 people have already completed the recommended projects and are reaping the benefits and repaying the loans. The average energy improvement loan is $7,000.

Most of the interest comes from older areas of the community where homes are not as energy efficient as they need to be. The positive response experienced in Wyandotte County is being replicated across Kansas. At least it was until the decision to suddenly pull the plug on the program.

Governor Brownback wants to shift the money from home energy improvements to other projects including an ethanol fueling project in Wichita; a bio-methane production facility in western Kansas; and a statewide bio-based energy supply project.

Eliminating the federal funding for the home energy saving program leaves utilities, energy auditors, contractors and citizens in a confusing lurch. The decision to end funding is itself confusing. The energy efficiency program is creating new jobs, helping heating/air companies and contractors retain existing jobs, improving housing stock and saving hundreds of citizens money on utility bills. Creating jobs and reviving the Kansas economy are both major goals of Governor Brownback’s Roadmap for Kansas.

The benefits of the Efficiency Kansas and Energy Smart Homes programs are widespread and positive. Now, some new energy auditing businesses may be forced to lay-off workers or even close their doors as a result of the State move to shift the funding to other projects.

The Unified Government and Board of Public Utilities are urging Governor Brownback and his administration to reverse their decision. Concerned citizens can contact Governor Brownback by emailing him at governor@ks.gov or calling 877-KSWORKS (877-579-6757).