Extreme weather events, community resilience, and energy insecurity in Kansas

Energy insecurity affects millions of households across the U.S., with the greatest impact reported on individuals already facing economic and health-related challenges. Global events, including extreme weather events, international conflicts, and inflation, have recently raised awareness of energy security and its effects on the economy and human health. This study analyses the energy insecurity situation in Kansas using survey data and an ordered logit model. The study reveals critical insights into the factors driving household energy insecurity in Kansas, especially regarding financial energy insecurity. The analysis indicates a 4.2% energy burden level in Kansas, with rural areas bearing the highest brunt, with about 7% burden (exceeding the recognized high energy burden of 6%), compared to metropolitan areas of 3% burden. While the majority of the respondents (about 62%) were thriving in terms of their energy needs, a significant number of about 18% of households were either vulnerable or in crisis for home energy services. The regression results reveal that higher energy bills, electric heating, special electricity-dependent medical needs, and demographic traits like nonwhite or female-headed households are linked to a higher probability of experiencing severe energy insecurity levels, while household income, homeownership, and college households are more likely to experience higher levels of energy security. These findings draw attention to stakeholders on the structural and economic barriers to energy services among Kansas households, particularly the rural-urban disparities.