TOPEKA (KSNT) — A new study is shedding light on the challenges that rural counties face when managing clean energy projects like wind farms.
The Kansas Health Institute is a non-profit organization that provides research for policy makers here in Kansas. They’ve concluded that when it comes to managing wind energy projects, rural county governments in Kansas could benefit from more information and resources from the state.
As part of the study, the institute sent out a survey to several Kansas elected officials. They responded to KHI by stating that they believe wind energy projects can bring economic growth to Kansas.
However, aside from this, local lawmakers believe they generally don’t know enough about how wind energy projects would impact their communities, and many counties lack the money to fund research efforts.
What is the Manhattan Death Cafe?
Kansas has not released a statewide guide on clean energy since 2005. We spoke with Emma Uridge with the Kansas Health Institute, who believes extra guidance from the state would go a long way.
“Local officials indicated in the study that they mostly trust their peer counties and county officials that they know and of course their constituents, but they also trust state agencies as well. So, I think state agencies are primed to maybe approach this conversation and provide some additional support.”
Additionally, the study claims that clean energy projects are generally underfunded in both Kansas, and the nation as a whole.
For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.