A candidate for a Board of Public Utilities office spoke during a public comment time at the Wednesday night, Aug. 18, BPU meeting to ask whether some housing funding, if it comes through, could also be used on utility bills.
Brian Matlock mentioned programs that provide federal funding for housing.
He also asked if the BPU was doing anything to transition away from coal to renewable energy.
Matlock is a candidate for BPU, District 2, a position currently held by Tom Groneman. There were not enough candidates in this contest for a primary, and the two will be on the ballot in the general election in November. Matlock formerly ran for the U.S. Senate as a Republican socialist.
BPU General Manager Bill Johnson said they are currently awaiting Congress to approve an infrastructure plan for the nation, with funds to be allocated through the states. He said the BPU was actively engaged and interested in pursuing funding. He said he would look into the issues mentioned and get back to Matlock with more information.
David Mehlhaff, chief communications officer for the BPU, said the BPU has been in contact with the Kansas Congressional delegation on a regular basis to request and give the delegation their thoughts on an infrastructure package pertaining to the BPU.
He said it remains to be seen what comes out of the final bill, but they have a better chance of getting funds for water infrastructure than electric.
“We are 48 percent renewable energy now, one of the greenest in the country,” Mehlhaff said, adding the BPU will continue down the path of renewable energy. They are waiting to see what comes out of Washington, he added.
BPU Board Member Groneman commented about Matlock’s question about ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funding on utility assistance.
“I suggested on a couple of occasions that we look into dedicated staff or contract with somebody, if staff is not available, to work with customers in assisting them or filling out applications for KERA (Kansas Emergency Rental Assistance),” Groneman said during the Wednesday night meeting.
There was some resistance to that idea, he noted, but he was happy to see that the Unified Government is proposing they hire somebody to assist citizens with filling out the KERA applications, which include some funding for utility assistance. The UG was proposing to use some federal ARPA funding to hire someone for the position.
“I would strongly urge the BPU to work with the city and any of these other groups that are interested in seeing that this money that is available gets to our people, the ones who are in need,” Groneman said. “It seems to be nothing but a win-win situation. We help our citizens and customers, and we get revenue.”
On Aug. 5, the BPU extended its moratorium on utility shutoffs until Oct. 6 to give residents more time to file for assistance with the KERA program.
An application and information about the KERA program, which is available to renters, is online at https://kera.kshousingcorp.org/kera12#/.