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KS HB2636
Bill
Status
2/2/2026
Primary Sponsor
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Click for details
AI Summary
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Grants Kansas State Corporation Commission authority to permit and regulate industrial wind, solar, and battery storage facilities with capacity of 1 megawatt or more, effective July 1, 2026
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County commissioners may permit or deny industrial energy facility construction by resolution, subject to a protest petition process requiring 5% of qualified electors to trigger a countywide election
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Establishes minimum setback distances: wind turbines must be 1.1 times blade tip height from property lines and roads, 4.0 times from dwellings and public buildings, and 5,280 feet from state parks and wildlife areas; solar and battery systems must be 50 feet from property lines and 300 feet from dwellings
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Requires facility owners to maintain decommissioning plans prepared by licensed engineers, with financial assurance (letter of credit, bond, or parent company guarantee) sufficient to cover full removal and land restoration within one year of cessation of operations
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Commission may impose civil penalties up to $10,000 per day for violations; existing facilities constructed or authorized before July 1, 2026 are exempt from initial permitting but must register by December 31, 2026
Legislative Description
Establishing requirements for the development, construction, modification, maintenance, operation and decommissioning of certain industrial energy facilities and providing jurisdiction to the state corporation commission to control and permit such development, construction, modification, operation, maintenance and decommissioning of such facilities.
Last Action
House Referred to Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
2/2/2026