Karen Uhlenhuth

Karen Uhlenhuth

Karen spent most of her career reporting for the Kansas City Star, focusing at various times on local and regional news, and features. More recently, she was employed as a researcher and writer for a bioethics center at a children’s hospital in Kansas City. Karen covers Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota.

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In Kansas, demand charges could take a bite out of solar customers’ savings

Kansas utility regulators approved a new demand fee for Westar Energy that only applies to solar customers.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 28 September 2018
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Missouri city wants higher profile for home energy efficiency scores

The municipal utility in Columbia, Missouri, has rated about 3,500 homes for efficiency, but homebuyers have been slow to use.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 20 September 2018
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From pigs to prairie grass: Missouri company seeks new biogas feedstock

A St. Louis entrepreneur has partnered with an agriculture giant on an experiment that could produce carbon negative renewable biogas.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 7 September 2018
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Kansas utilities' proposed new fees could wipe out savings for some solar customers

New installations of rooftop solar panels on homes across most of Kansas likely will come to a near-standstill if state regulators approve of demand fees proposed by the state’s two largest utilities.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 24 August 2018
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Nebraska tribe to double solar capacity after landing federal grant

The Winnebago tribe of northeastern Nebraska will nearly double its solar capacity – already among the largest in the state – with the help of a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 22 August 2018
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Despite court ruling, Missouri counties vow to keep fighting transmission line

Officials in two Missouri counties said they plan to deny permits to the Grain Belt Express transmission project despite a state Supreme Court ruling last month that limited their authority to do so.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 15 August 2018
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Transmission study points to potential from overcoming grid seams

A new National Renewable Energy Laboratory analysis finds that improving connections across the nation's electric grid could provide broad benefits that far outweigh the cost — including lower-cost, more reliable and cleaner electricity.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 1 August 2018
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Iowa utilities unveil scaled back efficiency plans under new state law

Iowans will lose access to home energy audits, insulation rebates, and light bulb discounts under new five-year efficiency plans proposed by utilities.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 11 July 2018
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Nebraska tribe becomes a solar power leader on the Plains

Tribal leaders say the solar push, which started a decade ago, advances commitments to sustainability and self-sufficiency, and is cutting electric bills.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 10 July 2018
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After criticism, Iowa utility takes new approach with solar offering

An Iowa utility is changing course after it faced criticism for inviting customers to pay more for electricity from existing solar capacity.

By Karen Uhlenhuth . 28 June 2018