Topeka ? Many issues are before Kansas lawmakers, but the fate of two proposed coal-burning power plants in southwestern Kansas has dominated the first three weeks of the legislative session.

And it will continue to do so.

This week, the House and Senate energy committees will conduct hearings on identical bills that would essentially require approval of the two 700-megawatt plants, and other coal-burning plants in the future.

In October, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ administration rejected the two plants, citing concerns about carbon dioxide emissions and global warming.

That prompted House Bill 2711 and Senate Bill 515, written in secret behind closed doors by supporters of the plants along with input from plant developers, Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp.

Plant backers described the bills as a compromise because they include first-time limits on carbon dioxide emissions.

But Sebelius and environmentalists weren’t buying it.

The bills strip state authority used to reject the plants, and allow enough CO2 offsets to make Kansas the “welcome mat” for coal plants nationwide, Sebelius said.

“I’m concerned about what’s in the bill, I’m concerned about what’s missing from the bill, and I’m not quite sure at the end of the day that this is good energy policy for Kansas,” Sebelius said.

Sebelius urged lawmakers to slow down and analyze the two bills because the policies included in the legislation could affect the Kansas economy and environment for generations to come.

She had offered Sunflower Electric her support of a 660-megawatt coal-fired plant, similar to one that the company proposed in 2001, to address electric needs in western Kansas. But Sunflower rejected the proposal.

Meanwhile, the chairmen of the Senate and House committees are ignoring Sebelius’ call to slow down, and proceeding full-speed ahead, with possible votes on the bills Friday. “This is what I feel is best for Kansas,” state Rep. Carl Holmes, R-Liberal, told a receptive House Republican caucus.

Holmes also has said no energy bills would be allowed to move out of his committee until the issue of the coal plants is resolved.

When told about Holmes’ comment, House Minority Leader Dennis McKinney, D-Greensburg, said that was an “unfortunate” remark.

McKinney, who supports construction of the plants, says he expects movement on the legislation to slow and more give-and-take to occur.

“I think negotiations will keep going, and we will see where we end up,” McKinney said.