A few tips to consider when caring for God’s creation:

• • Reduce your consumption, reuse, and up-cycle things you already have, recycle items that have the recycle ♻ symbol that has a 1-5 in it (numbers 1 and 2 indicate plastics that are frequently recycled.)
  • Volunteer to help clean up natural areas, parks, and trails.
  • Educate yourself; share knowledge and insights you gain.
  • Reduce your water usage.
  • Choose sustainable seafood.
  • Buy fewer plastic items and use reusable shopping bags.
  • Use energy efficient light bulbs (such as LED bulbs).
  • Plant trees and native plants.
  • Look for and use non-toxic cleaners.
  • Walk and bike when you can instead of driving.

What is the Episcopal Church’s position on Creation Care issues, Social Justice, and other areas of concern?

Creation Care has been exploring advocacy at the Kansas Legislature. Click here for some advocacy actions and recommendations, as well as an overview of the 2 issues Creation Care is focusing on during this session.

Look up House bills HERE
Find your state Representatives and Senators HERE

Updates on several bills in 2024 Legislative Session

Note: Legislature is adjourned until 4/25.

General Environment:

HB 2541 – would enact funding for land conservation, wildlife, habitat, and recreation – had  a Committee Hearing. 

HB 2607 – requires improved reporting requirements under the Kansas Pesticide Act – it was passed by the House.

HB 2476 and SB 307 – the legislation contained in these similar bills is being considered in the Federal and State Affairs Committee – requiring legislative approval of the designation of national heritage areas, as well as requiring legislative approval for the funding of these areas.

SB 347 – passed by the Senate – Would require legislative approval of persons appointed to Wildlife and Parks Commission.  HB 2582 – would change the composition of the Wildlife and Parks Commission.

HB 2590 updates maximum penalties on pipelines for certain occurrances – Governor signed on 4/4/24.

Plastics Pollution:

HB 2446 – This is the act that prohibits localities from banning single-use plastics.   It was passed and sent to Governor Kelly on April 5. 

Water bills

SB 331 – Allows leaded joints in public water pipes and was passed and sent to the Governor.  She signed it on 4-4-24. 

Energy bills

SB 456 – in the Utilities Committee and is related to prolonging fossil fuel power plants. 

SB 455 -allows utilities to continue to charge consumers for seldom-used coal power plants.  It was referred to a conference committee.  There is no further action currently. 

HB 2268 in the Local Government Committee. – solar freedom in Homeowners Associations – associations could not ban solar panels.

HB 2588 was passed in the House – expands the size and capacity for net metering.   

HB 2227 – allowing solar power purchase agreements – in the Energy Committee. 

SB 126 and 278 – Individual income tax credit and utility reporting for community assistance – being considered in the Energy committee.

Rail Related:  SB 349 – promotes rail between cities.  It was in a conference committee and amended, no further action currently.

SB 402 -prohibiting crew size requirements on Class II and III railroads – This is in the Transportation Committee. 

Notes:

Net metering = a billing arrangement between solar energy system owners and utility companies. It allows solar panel owners to feed excess electricity they generate back into the grid in exchange for credits. These credits can be used to offset future electricity consumption when their solar panels are not producing enough energy to meet their needs.

Requiring public utilities to report information for community assistance = requiring utilities to report on their customer assistance programs, account delinquencies and disconnections.