For over a year, Kansans have been waiting for answers as to where the investigation into the natural gas price gouging crisis stands. Throughout that time, Attorney General Derek Schmidt has withheld details of the investigation, only telling Kansans that a search for outside counsel was in the works.
Kansas was far from the only state impacted by last year’s cold snap that led to unprecedented spikes in the cost of natural gas. Other states, including Texas and Oklahoma, were also hit hard.
The attorneys general in those states took action, including launching investigations just days after the price increase and reaching settlements with utility companies to protect their consumers.
I wish I could say the same about Kansas. But in over a year, our attorney general has nothing to show for his supposed “investigation” but Kansans feeling confused and abandoned.
Schmidt’s office recently claimed outside counsel had been hired but left it at that. We still don’t know who was hired or the details of how that firm was selected to oversee such an important investigation.
I recently filed a Kansas Open Records Act request seeking answers on where things stand, including information on the outside counsel chosen to oversee the investigation. I wish I hadn’t had to take this step, but considering the attorney general’s refusal to keep Kansans in the loop, and the importance of this issue, it felt necessary.
In the Statehouse, we know how important this issue is to folks back in our districts. The Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee recently passed a near-unanimous resolution denouncing the price gouging that took place last year and called for investigations to protect consumers from this kind of blatant market manipulation in the future.
How often do we see this kind of agreement among legislators? But that’s the thing — this isn’t about politics. It’s about fighting to protect Kansas families, small businesses and towns who shouldn’t be punished simply for trying to keep the heat on, and we’ll do whatever it takes to find them relief.
I am urging the attorney general to respond to my request with the urgency this issue requires. I hope that, moving forward, Schmidt will keep Kansans updated on where the investigation stands.
And I hope the outside counsel is able to find answers and relief for Kansas consumers. Our families, small businesses and towns are counting on it.
Annie Kuether represents Kansas’ 55th District in the House, and serves as the ranking member of the Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee.
