green energy

The wind energy industry has slowed across the country, but some Kansas towns want to invest in it for economic growth. We’ll hear about the push for renewable energy in rural Kansas — and the obstacles it faces. Plus: Hear why support for 988, the national suicide and crisis hotline, is stronger in some states than in others.

Western Kansas has the potential to capitalize on our region’s growing energy demands even as rural populations shrink. There’s plenty of land, wind and sun to be a center for renewable energy production. But skepticism is bringing these projects to a halt.

A data center in the Crossroads is one of the first in the country to get a loan for clean energy. Plus: Scientists across the central U.S. say they have experienced a year of change and uncertainty under the second Trump administration.

A data center in the Crossroads is using the clean energy loan for its chilling equipment. Supporters hope that the loans will encourage the projects to be more environmentally friendly. Critics want the city to do more to regulate the developments.

The development would sit on 1,200 acres of Ameren-owned land outside its Callaway County Nuclear Plant. The 250-megawatt solar plant would be capable of powering approximately 44,000 homes.

The massive tax and spending law signed in July halts a federal incentive for residential solar, and homeowners and installers are hurrying to complete projects before the end of the year. Industry experts say there are other ways to cut costs like "group buys."

Carmaker Toyota announced it will add 57 jobs invest in a new production line at its factory in Troy, Missouri, in order to increase capacity for hybrid cars.

Temperatures remained into the 80s well in the fall this year in parts of the Midwest. Agrivoltaics offers a respite to extreme heat and land access for new farmers.

The new solar field in mid-Missouri would be built next to the Callaway nuclear plant. Ameren has requested approval for the project from Missouri's Public Service Commission.

An Evergy spokesperson said solar projects approved by Kansas and Missouri will be generating electricity for customers in time to qualify for existing tax credits.

Large data centers are coming to Missouri, and they need a lot of power. Right now, there aren't regulations governing how they will use energy, so Evergy and Ameren is working to develop new rules.

Evergy announced last year its intent to build two gas plants in Kansas and one in Missouri, as well as one solar plant in each state. The projects are expected to cost more than $2.75 billion.