TOPEKA ? Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson today urged legislators to support Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ veto of a bill that would allow construction of two coal-fired power plants.

At an Earth Day event, Parkinson, said, “You cannot say that you are an environmentalist, that you support the environment, that you are part of the green movement, and vote for coal-fired plants that are not needed for this state.”

Parkinson said even if the Legislature overrides Sebelius’ veto, the two 700-megawatt plants planned for southwestern Kansas will likely never be built because of litigation and possible upcoming federal regulation of carbon dioxide.

The Sebelius administration rejected the plants citing concerns about the project’s annual emission of 11 million tons of carbon dioxide and its affect on global warming. Sebelius has also complained that the bill approved by the Legislature would strip the state of much of its environmental authority.

The project is a partnership between Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. and companies in Colorado and Texas. Approximately 85 percent of the energy will be used in Colorado and Texas.

Lawmakers who support the plants have vowed to push through legislation to have them built. They contend the plants will be among the cleanest burning coal-fired units in the nation, will boost the economy and provide the transmission lines needed to develop wind energy.

But Parkinson urged legislators to support Sebelius’ veto.

“Will we give away our water to Texas and Colorado? Will we give away our power to Texas and Colorado? Will we keep the carbon and continue to endanger the environment? That is what is at stake next week,” he said.

Lawmakers return for the wrap-up session on April 30.

To override Sebelius’ veto would require two thirds’ majorities, which is 84 votes in the 125-member House and 27 votes in the 40-member Senate.