Kansas legislators are considering changes in a state energy regulation to balance the interests of utility companies with those who use renewable fuel sources.

At issue is a practice known as net metering, in which individuals or businesses generate their own electricity and sell excess power to a utility company.

During periods of peak demand, credits earned from selling excess power can be used to offset the cost of higher utility bills, such as during summer months.

Senate Utilities Committee Chairman Pat Apple said Thursday lawmakers want to make sure that utility customers aren’t subsidizing the cost of providing energy during peak demand to renewable energy producers.

Committees in both the House and Senate are studying proposals on the issue.