Kansas among 30 states to join Climate Registry

? While state officials consider a permit for a huge coal-burning project in western Kansas, they have joined a group of states to track emissions of greenhouse gases.

“Participating in the Climate Registry is a critical step forward in Kansas’ efforts to address climate change,” Gov. Kathleen Sebelius said Tuesday.

Kansas is among 30 states to form the Climate Registry, which is designed to measure, track and verify gas emissions, officials said. It also will provide emissions reductions programs.

“We can only manage what we can effectively measure. It’s exciting to know that Kansas is helping lead the way toward a cleaner, safer environment,” Sebelius said.

Meanwhile, state officials are considering a proposal by Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. to add three 700-megawatt coal-burning units next to its existing 350-megawatt plant in Holcomb.

Environmentalists have filed a lawsuit against the project, saying the plants will worsen air pollution in the region.

In addition to Kansas, charter members to the Climate Registry are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.