Archive for Thursday, April 3, 2008
State Senate overrides Sebelius coal plant veto
April 3, 2008
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The Kansas Senate today voted to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of a bill that would allow the construction of two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.
The vote was 32-7 — five votes more than the 27 votes, or two-thirds majority in the 40-member Senate needed to overturn a veto.
Sen. Roger Pine, R-Lawrence, voted to override, and Sen. Marci Francisco, D-Lawrence, voted to support the veto.
The effect of the veto override, however, was cloudy.
There are still not enough votes in the House to overturn the veto.
Instead, House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, R-Ingalls, is trying to put together a veto-proof margin on a similar bill. That would require 84 votes in the 150-member House.
Earlier today, the House gave first-round approval to that bill, which also would allow the two 700-megawatts plants near Holcomb. The vote was 79-39.
Even though that vote was short of a two-thirds majority, Neufeld said he believed there would be 84 votes for the measure on final passage tomorrow.
“Unless somebody has lied to me,” Neufeld said. If so, that would be enough votes to override an expected veto of that bill.
The maneuvering is in response to a decision last year by the Sebelius administration to deny permits for the $3.6 billion project, citing concerns over the plants’ projected annual emissions of 11 million tons of carbon dioxide and their effect on climate change.
Sebelius has also said that because of the increasing cost of coal, and possible federal regulation of CO2, the power source will lead to increased electric rates. The measures would also strip the state of authority that was cited to reject the project.
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3 April 2008 at 7:36 p.m.
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Ragingbear (Anonymous) says…
Dear People of the USA,
Your opinions and votes do not matter, nor will they ever matter. Please stop trying to tell us how to tell you what to do.
Sincerely,
The Aristocrats.
3 April 2008 at 7:40 p.m.
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logrithmic (Anonymous) says…
Dear Humanity,
Your struggle is nearly over. Poison will fill your lungs. Breath deep.
Sincerely,
The Kansas Senate
3 April 2008 at 7:46 p.m.
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deskboy04 (Anonymous) says…
People want electricity. The plants will be built.
3 April 2008 at 7:51 p.m.
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beobachter (Anonymous) says…
So neufield is saying simply that he has bribed or blackmailed enough spineless legislators to get what sunflower paid him to do?
3 April 2008 at 7:57 p.m.
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ENGWOOD (Anonymous) says…
“logrithmic” 汉语/漢語 China wants you!!!!!
China last year built 117 government-approved coal-fired power plants — a rate of roughly one every three days, according to official figures.
3 April 2008 at 8:57 p.m.
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hornhunter (Anonymous) says…
warmer,
now I know where that smell is coming from, its cool conserving water
3 April 2008 at 9:30 p.m.
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jumpin_catfish (Anonymous) says…
Any pollution from these plants will only sicken whiners and nut jobs. The rest of us are safe because of our superior brain power. Oh Yeah!
4 April 2008 at 12:11 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
cool (Anonymous) says…
IGW is an idiot.”
Marion writes:
Yeah and……?
We knew that!
LOL!
4 April 2008 at 12:13 a.m.
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snowWI (Anonymous) says…
(“Even though that vote was short of a two-thirds majority, Neufeld said he believed there would be 84 votes for the measure on final passage tomorrow.
“Unless somebody has lied to me,” Neufeld said. If so, that would be enough votes to override an expected veto of that bill.”)
Please stick to farming Neufeld!
The cost of constructing coal plants is skyrocketing along with looming federal regulation of CO2.
Please
4 April 2008 at 12:19 a.m.
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snowWI (Anonymous) says…
“Unless somebody has lied to me,” Neufeld said.
This is typical political rhetoric from Neufeld. He will do anything to get the reps to switch their vote on this issue.
CO2 regulations are coming whether we like it or not. We can be ahead of the curve or behind it. Kansas will likely be well behind the curve if we continue to build pulverized coal plants with no chance at capturing nor sequestering CO2. The algae reactor is unproven technology. IGCC is a better technology with two plants in operation in the US.
With the cost of raw materials increasing, the cost of coal increasing, and the transportation costs increasing any new coal plant sounds like a bad investment for ratepayers. That is why several proposed coal plants have been shelved in a number of states.
4 April 2008 at 1:43 a.m.
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hornhunter (Anonymous) says…
How can global warming be happening when we have, cool snow?
Where have you been snow, froget to pay your internet bill?
4 April 2008 at 3:35 a.m.
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merrill (Anonymous) says…
Our state legislature does not like education yet it is in love with expensive, special interest loaded polluting coal and nuclear energy.
Very interesting.
4 April 2008 at 4:22 a.m.
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SteelHorseRider (Anonymous) says…
engwood - “China last year built 117 government-approved coal-fired power plants — a rate of roughly one every three days, according to official figures.”
Gee, let's build more coal-fired plants like China!
Oh yeah…that is a country I want ours to emulate!!!
4 April 2008 at 12:41 p.m.
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snowWI (Anonymous) says…
SteelHorseRider,
I completely agree with your statements!
4 April 2008 at 12:42 p.m.
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snowWI (Anonymous) says…
hornhunter,
Hmm, I have better things to do then to post every single day.
4 April 2008 at 4:52 p.m.
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hornhunter (Anonymous) says…
Well then snow maybe you need to hang out with cool and help him out. And keep agreeing with people that help support your ridiculous cause.