Topeka ? State regulators said Wednesday that they will pursue policies to promote energy conservation, but they’re not planning to impose mandates on utilities.

Kansas Corporation Commission issued an order Wednesday on conservation issues. It began a review last year of utilities’ programs for helping consumers cut their energy use.

The three-member KCC said it wants to collaborate with utilities to foster “open and creative efforts” and believes mandates aren’t required because of their work so far. The commission cited six programs started last year by Kansas City Power & Light Co. and a decision by Westar Energy Inc. to create an energy efficiency department.

“In light of the current spirit of collaboration, it appears encouragement and guidance from the commission is most appropriate,” the KCC said in its 15-page order.

The commission also said it would create a program for evaluating energy-efficiency programs and enact policies for determining how utilities recover the costs associated running such programs.

Some environmentalists have said the state hasn’t done enough to encourage consumers to reduce their energy use.

Craig Volland, a Sierra Club activist, said the KCC should take utilities’ efforts into account when setting their rates – so the companies have an incentive to pursue conservation.

However, he added: “There is so much to be gained by energy efficiency and conservation that we would prefer a more mandatory approach, where goals are set by the KCC or in the governor’s office and then implemented.”