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Topic: Pass-through costs

Kelly Harrison

Interview of Kelly Harrison, September 17, 2024

Interviewed by Mike Lennen
This interview of Kelly Harrison, retired vice-president for transmission at Westar Energy, covers Harrison’s 37-year career in an evolving electric utility industry from the early 1980s through late twenty-teens and his contributions to transmission development in Kansas and the surrounding region. Harrison recalls his start in the industry working for Kansas Gas and Electric, headquartered in Wichita, KS, after his graduation from Wichita State University. He was involved in many changes in the transmission portion of the industry as federal regulations opened electricity markets to more participants and as regionalization of transmission placed states and individual utility companies in Show Morenew relationships with one another. Harrison saw his involvement with transmission expansion, regulatory affairs, and environmental issues as a way to use his education and his skills to help people. Harrison’s interview provides valuable insights into the development of the electric utility industry, the challenges of transmission expansion, incorporation of renewable energy sources, and the regulatory landscape. His experiences highlight the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning in ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future.

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Interview of Jack Wempe, January 23, 2025

Interviewed by Mark Tallman
This oral history interview of Jack Wempe focuses on his experiences first as a student in a one-room school, next as a teacher, principal and superintendent in rural Kansas, then his legislative activities involving education issues, and finally, his service on the Kansas Board of Regents. Wempe's experience covers the scope of education in Kansas over several decades of critical change. His interview covers school unification, changes in funding public schools, qualified admissions, and reorganization of higher education with the Board of Regents assuming coordination of the nineteen community colleges.

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Another interview of Wempe is included in the Statehouse Conversations collection on this site. Show Less

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