Net metering and parallel generation are two different means by which commercial and residential generators of energy from renewable resources move excess electricity to the grid and receive compensation for that electricity. Net metering is not available in Kansas. Instead, individuals and businesses who generate their own electricity from renewable resources enter into parallel generation agreements with the local utility to feed excess electricity onto the grid. Small parallel generators are compensated by the utility at 150 percent of the utility’s avoided cost for the electricity generated. Larger parallel generators are compensated at 100 percent of the utility’s avoided cost.

The Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 or purchase power. Power providers implement this requirement through various metering arrangements. The most common arrangements are “net metering” and “net meter and sale.”Federal Law. (PURPA) required utilities to purchase excess power from grid-connected small renewable energy systems at a rate equal to what it costs the utility to produce  Net meter and sale is the practice authorized by Kansas law (KSA 66-1,184), which calls the arrangement “parallel generation.” Under this arrangement, two single electric meters are installed at the  customer generator’s site. One meter records electricity drawn from the grid, and the other records excess electricity generated by the customer-generator and fed back onto the grid. The customer-generator pays the retail rate for the electricity drawn from the grid. The local electric utility purchases the excess electricity generated at the utility’s avoided cost (the average cost of energy per kilowatt hour). There may be a significant difference between the retail rate and the power provider’s avoided cost. Net metering is available in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

Under this arrangement, a single, two-direction meter may be used to record both electricity drawn from the grid and excess electricity fed back onto the grid by the customer-generator. The consumer-generator pays the retail rate for electricity used in excess of the amount generated. In essence, the power provider pays the consumer-generator the retail price for the electricity fed back into the grid. Net metering rules vary from state to state 2009 Legislator Briefifing Book, Kansas Legislative Research Department
Kansas is one of 6 states that does not have true Net metering.

Here is a list of the legislatures. If you do not see your representative, you can look yours up on the [url=http://www.accesskansas.gov]Access Kansas[/url] website.

District 79 (se Sumner County)
Kasha Kelley, Arkansas City, 785-296-7642
kasha.kelley@house.ks.gov

District 80 (Sumner County, s1/2 Harper County)
Representative Vince Wetta, Wellington,785-296-7665
vince.wetta@house.ks.gov

District 81 ( ne corner Sumner County)
Representative Peter DeGraaf, Mulvane, 785-296-7653
peter.degraaf@house.ks.gov

District 31 (Sumner, Cowley Counties)
Senator Steve Abrams, Arkansas City, 785-296-7381
Steve.Abrams@senate.ks.gov - Senator Abrams serves on the Natural Resources Committee