State council hears wind-energy plan / LJWorld.com

Archive for Saturday, October 14, 2006

October 14, 2006

Topeka — Advocates of wind energy Friday said a draft statewide plan doesn't go far enough to promote wind power.

"If we do not act, we will condemn future generations not only to the environmental and health impacts of burning coal, but to an economy based on obsolete technology," said Craig Volland, a spokesman for the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club.

Volland testified to the Kansas Energy Council on its draft recommendations for a statewide energy plan.

While the draft plan emphasizes the importance of developing wind energy, Volland said it has too many bureaucratic and regulatory obstacles to development of large-scale wind farms.

"Thus the proposal is well-intentioned but it is structured in a way that is likely to be counterproductive," he said.

The plan also calls for a statewide energy conservation program and the increased use of "clean coal" technologies.

Ken Frahm, chairman of the Kansas Energy Council, said the panel would consider public comment through Oct. 31 and then start working on a final recommendation that will be presented in December to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and the Legislature.

Frahm said of the draft proposals, "They represent great initial steps for Kansas to become more energy self-supporting without violating the Legislature's desire to avoid expensive mandates on Kansas governmental entities, businesses and citizens."

The draft report is available on the Kansas Energy Council Web site at http://kec.kansas.gov/.

To submit written testimony through Oct. 31, contact KEC Director Liz Brosius at (785) 271-3264 or l.brosius@kcc.state.ks.us.