Topeka ? Supporters of the proposed coal-fired power plants in western Kansas ran ads Monday that say rejection of the plants by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ administration will help Iran, Venezuela and Russia.

“Why are these men smiling?” the full-page ad asks below photos of Iranian President Mahmoud Amadinejad, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“Because the recent decision by the Sebelius Administration means Kansas will import more natural gas from countries like Russia, Venezuela, and Iran,” the ad states.

Sebelius said the ad that ran in newspapers across Kansas was “over-the-top nonsense.”

She added, “It does a real disservice to Kansans who are looking for an honest and constructive debate about our state’s energy future.”

The ads were launched by a group called Kansans for Affordable Energy.

Bob Kreutzer, a Garden City businessman who helped start the group, said the ads were partially funded by Sunflower Electric Power Corp.

Sunflower proposed building two 700-megawatt coal-burning power plants near Holcomb.

Last month, Kansas Department of Health and Energy Secretary Roderick Bremby denied permits for the plants, citing health and environmental concerns associated with carbon dioxide emissions.

Sebelius has supported the decision but many western Kansas leaders have said Bremby’s order was unfair because there are no state nor national regulations on carbon dioxide emissions.