Category: KANSAS_MN

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack says the Department will invest $464 million to build or improve renewable energy infrastructure and to help rural communities, agricultural producers and businesses lower energy costs in 48 states, including Kansas, as well as Puerto Rico.

After months of advocacy by activists, the Wichita City council has voted to establish a board to advise the council and city staff on environmental concerns, climate change and economic economic vitality. The council voted unanimously Tuesday to support Wichita’s Sustainability Integration Board, which will advise in such areas as reducing emissions and finding economic growth that is environmentally friendly.

A Kansas State University distinguished professor and Nobel Prize recipient says “time is running out” for people to take action to mitigate the effects of climate change. Chuck Rice, university distinguished professor of agronomy, said “we will have to get our act together more quickly” if humanity is to adapt to the increasingly extreme weather events being observed because of a changing climate. Rice, who specializes in soil microbiology and climate interactions, is the co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for his work with the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The Kansas Reflector welcomes opinion pieces from writers who share our goal of widening the conversation about how public policies affect the day-to-day lives of people throughout our state. Shawna Bethell is a freelance essayist/journalist covering the people and places of Kansas, Nebraska and Missouri.

Climate change makes Flynn’s job harder. It’s triggering days of triple-digit temperatures and more times when the breeze takes a holiday. That, in turn, breeds ever bigger blooms of blue-green algae.

In the next few decades, climate change will cause more than two weeks every summer to become too hot to safely work outside. A new study argues that quick action is needed prevent that number of dangerously hot days from doubling.

Boost Kansas, an initiative of the American Clean Power Association says in 2020, the renewable energy industry had an exciting year, and Kansas is a leader with success in wind and solar energy developments. It said the newly released Clean Power Annual from the American Clean Power Association notes the Sunflower State is a national leader in renewable energy, with over 43% of the state’s electricity coming from renewable sources, ranking second in the nation. It said the report shows Kansas’ ability to increase jobs and investment while maximizing energy efficiency throughout the state.

Many people who own an electric vehicle also own a home, so they can install a charger in their garage or driveway. But that’s usually not an option for people who rent. “If you are a renter or an apartment dweller, you may not have access to home charging,” says Miriam Bouallegue, a project manager at the Metropolitan Energy Center, a nonprofit in Kansas City.

Kansas is well-positioned to grow its workforce in the renewable energy sector. More than 4,500 people are employed by clean energy jobs in Wichita, which has the most renewable energy jobs in the state. Kansas ranks 32nd in the nation for total clean energy jobs. Josh Svaty, former Kansas secretary of Agriculture, said Kansas has long had workforce training programs to bring new jobs and opportunities to the energy sector.