Power choices

To the editor:

I think most Kansans support the decision by KDHE Secretary Rod Bremby to deny a permit to construct a coal-fired plant in western Kansas. Regulating the type of energy generated from the top down is one way to confront the issue of CO2 emissions. What is also needed is a way to allow consumers to purchase electricity by the source of generation.

Colorado has a program in which consumers can buy electricity by source. For example, consumers can subscribe to buy a certain amount of wind-generated electricity each month (up to the amount actually generated) at a price that is about 2 cents per kwh higher than conventional sources.

As in Colorado, I would think there would be many people in Kansas who would be willing to pay more for electricity in order help establish a market for green power in the state. I would hope the state government and the state utilities would work soon to give the people of Kansas that choice.

Paul Longabach,

Lawrence