Why Kansas must invest in energy efficiency for rental housing: It’s good for all of us • Kansas Reflector

The Intersection of Policy, Ethics, and Environmental Sustainability in Kansas

In the heart of America, Kansas stands at a crossroads where policy, ethics, and environmental sustainability intersect. With renters forming a significant portion of our population — 33% statewide, and even more pronounced in key urban centers such as Lawrence (56%), Wichita (42%) and Topeka (41%) — there’s an undeniable imperative that transcends the usual debates surrounding energy sources.

Inclusion in the Vision for a Sustainable Future

It’s not just about advocating for green energy. It’s about ensuring that every Kansan, regardless of housing status, is included in our vision for a sustainable future.

The Challenge of Energy Inefficiency in Rental Housing

Data reveals a stark reality: the majority of our residential buildings, more than 75% of them, predate the year 2000. This statistic represents a widespread challenge in energy inefficiency, particularly for rental housing. These older, less-efficient properties not only contribute to higher energy consumption, but they also impose a disproportionate financial burden on our most vulnerable populations.

The Potential for Energy Efficiency Upgrades

Research from the National Renewable Energy Lab offers a beacon of hope, indicating that single-family homes in Kansas could achieve a 24% reduction in energy use through feasible upgrades. For example, transitioning to LED lighting can result in substantial savings. With an investment that typically pays for itself within two years, residents can save approximately $114 annually, while on a statewide level, this could translate to savings of up to $44 million.

1. LED lighting transition

Implementing drill-and-fill wall cavity insulation, despite a longer payback period of about nine years, offers an annual savings of $336 per residence and could lead to annual statewide savings of $154.6 million. If such potential were realized across all housing types, we’re looking at an annual savings of approximately $192 million in utility bills for Kansas renters. This isn’t just a win for renters, it’s a victory for all of Kansas and frees up funds that could be redirected toward critical areas like education, health care, and economic development.

1. Drill-and-fill wall cavity insulation

Breaking the Cycle of Inefficiency

The inefficiency plaguing our rental housing stock stems largely from the age and condition of these buildings, compounded by a lack of incentive for property owners to invest in improvements. The result is a cycle of high energy consumption and high utility bills, with the burden falling squarely on tenants.

Legislative Avenues for Energy Efficiency

Kansas has a wealth of legislative avenues to foster energy efficiency within its rental housing sector. Setting energy efficiency standards for rental properties ensures that all dwellings adhere to predetermined energy usage criteria. Incentivizing landlords through tax rebates, grants or credits for making energy-efficient improvements could catalyze widespread property enhancements. Implementing energy-efficient building mandates for new constructions and significant renovations, alongside obligatory energy audits for rental properties, would not only elevate the standards of new buildings but also highlight the energy performance of existing ones, prompting necessary enhancements.

• Energy efficiency standards
• Incentives for landlords
• Energy-efficient building mandates
• Obligatory energy audits

Additional Measures for Energy Efficiency

Adopting utility bill transparency policies would arm potential tenants with critical information regarding their future energy expenses. Encouraging public-private partnerships for energy efficiency projects can harness collective financial resources, while broadening the scope of weatherization assistance programs to include more rental units offers direct support to low-income households by facilitating access to free or low-cost energy improvements. Moreover, leveraging the “Pay As You Save” model — a financing method already familiar to utilities like Evergy, yet not adopted statewide — presents a unique opportunity. This model allows for investments in energy efficiency without upfront costs, with repayments made through savings on utility bills, ensuring the benefits outweigh the costs.

• Utility bill transparency policies
• Public-private partnerships
• Broadening weatherization assistance programs
• Adopting the “Pay As You Save” model

A Moral Imperative for Affordable and Sustainable Living Standards

Finally, beyond mere environmental and economic considerations, addressing the energy efficiency crisis of the rental market stands as a moral imperative: Every resident of Kansas, irrespective of housing status, deserves access to affordable and sustainable living standards. As Kansans, we have the collective power to advocate for policies reflecting fairness, sustainability, and inclusivity.

Prioritizing Investments in Energy Efficiency

Kansas officials should prioritize investments in energy efficiency for rental housing, easing the burden on at least one-third of our fellow Kansans and averting wastage amounting to millions of dollars. Let us set a precedent, demonstrating that environmental stewardship and social equity can go hand in hand, embodying the Kansan spirit of caring for our fellow community members.

S. Mohsen Fatemi is pursuing a Ph.D. in the school of public affairs and administration at the University of Kansas, focusing on sustainable energy governance, policy, and justice. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The issues highlighted in the article, such as energy inefficiency in rental housing, financial burden on vulnerable populations, and the need for sustainable and affordable living standards, are connected to multiple SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
• Target 1.4: By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources
• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination
• Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development
• Target 8.10: Strengthen the capacity of domestic financial institutions to encourage and expand access to banking, insurance, and financial services for all

The article discusses the need to improve energy efficiency in residential buildings, ensure access to affordable housing, integrate climate change measures, address the financial burden on vulnerable populations, reduce health impacts from pollution, redirect funds for education, and provide financial incentives for landlords.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Data on energy efficiency improvements in residential buildings
• Data on the condition of residential buildings and access to affordable housing
• Data on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from residential buildings
• Data on financial burden on vulnerable populations due to high energy consumption
• Data on the health impacts of energy inefficiency in residential buildings
• Data on redirected funds from energy savings that could be used for education
• Data on financial incentives for landlords to invest in energy-efficient improvements

The article mentions the need for data on energy efficiency improvements, building conditions, energy consumption, financial burden, health impacts, redirected funds, and financial incentives. These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: kansasreflector.com

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