Topeka ? Lee Allison, chairman of the State Energy Resources Coordination Council, has appointed a 17-member task force to examine the issues involved with bringing more wind power to Kansas.

The task force will be co-chaired by Jerry Karr of Emporia, a former state senator, and Jerry Lonergan of Topeka, president of Kansas Inc. The group includes Jennifer States, operating manager for the Lawrence-based J.W. Prairie Windpower.

The task force, which will meet for the first time Friday in Topeka, is designed to help Flint Hills communities through the decision-making process on whether to locate wind-energy projects in tallgrass prairies. Several projects in the Flint Hills have raised concerns over how the turbines would affect the ecosystem.

The group plans to hold a series of public hearings to gather information and is expected to have a report to the governor by May 31.