Last April, the Kansas House of Representatives turned back repeated attempts to repeal Kansas’ Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards, or RPS. RPS simply requires commercial power companies to generate 20% of their electricity by wind, solar or hydroelectric by 2020. I am proud to have voted to preserve renewable energy in Kansas.

There have recently been disappointing development in this area. First, the governor succumbed to pressure from special interest groups and abandoned his prior support for wind energy. Second, some local legislators have vowed to purge representatives who support renewable energy with candidates pledged to roll back progress. You may have met some of these candidates.

Nearly 20% of Kansas electrical power needs are already met by renewable energy. Kansas ranks third in the nation in wind power generation. We generate enough wind energy to power 870,000 American homes. Fifty-five percent of our wind energy stays here in Kansas. The remaining 45% flows into our country’s eastern power grid, helping reduce overall dependence on foreign oil.

Renewable energy drives a continuing investment of over $8 billion in Kansas industry and jobs. Twelve-thousand new Kansas jobs have been created, and payments to land owners total over $16 million per year. Renewable energy production generates over $10 million in taxes paid to Kansas counties, lessening the property tax burden on all of us.

There are vested interests in Topeka who, for their own personal gain, want to stop Kansas wind energy dead in its tracks. I am proud to support a diversified energy portfolio for Kansas, including wind energy, natural gas, and oil. Kansas is ideally suited to centrally meet the energy needs of our country. Wind, natural gas and oil must all be part of Kansas energy portfolio.