Nine energy-efficiency programs through Evergy have been approved as part of a settlement agreement through the Kansas Corporation Commission.
The KCC voted 2-1 in favor of the programs, part of Evergy’s request for what’s called a Demand-Side Management Portfolio that’s separate from Evergy’s request for a new overall rate structure.
The settlement case followed general agreement on program offerings and differing opinions on how to proceed, either with nine included programs as originally presented or five. The KCC approved the original request but added certain conditions to “help ensure accurate performance measurements and fiscal accountability while avoiding duplication of funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act.”
Approved programs include:
*Whole Home Efficiency Program: Provides rebates, discounts, and on-bill financing for HVAC and building envelope measures in single and multifamily residences. It will also provide no cost energy assessments and discounted energy savings kits.
*Home Energy Education Program: Helps rural and low-income customers use energy more efficiently through marketing, outreach, and education.
*Home Demand Response Program: Helps customers reduce their energy use during peak demand periods. It also provides opportunities for customers to receive free thermostats and water heater controllers.
*Hard-to-Reach Homes Program: Provides enhanced incentives, no-cost home upgrades, and no-cost energy assessments and savings kits for low-income and rural customers.
*Whole Business Efficiency Program: Provides both variable and fixed incentives to help business customers install efficient equipment and building envelope improvements.
*Business Energy Education Program: Provides tools, resources, and guidance for businesses interested in saving money on energy. The program focuses on small businesses.
*Business Demand Response Program: Helps business customers decrease their energy usage during periods of peak demand.
*Hard-to-Reach Businesses Program: Offers enhanced incentives to small businesses and non-profits.
*Pilot Incubator Program: Creates a pathway to identify and evaluate new DSM program concepts to meet changing customer needs and integrate evolving technologies.
