It’s unfortunate that a pair of power plants in western Kansas has triggered a political standoff between Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and leaders in the Kansas Legislature.

Identical bills that have been introduced in both the Kansas House and Senate would bypass state regulators who denied permits for the coal-fired plants near Holcomb based on concerns over the amount of carbon dioxide they would produce. The legislation would address the desire of western Kansas lawmakers to get the plants built, but it has other provisions that some find objectionable.

While the governor, environmental groups and some legislators are concerned about what they see as inadequate regulation of carbon dioxide emissions, some business and anti-tax groups are saying even the $3-per-ton tax placed on those emissions is too much.

“I hear a lot of concerns, and I have a lot of concerns,” House Taxation Committee Chairman Kenny Wilk, a Lansing Republican, told The Associated Press this week. “As always, what are the unintended consequences?”

That is an important question to be answered before the bill leaves the Legislature.

Energy is a hot issue in Kansas at this time and certainly is one of the major topics of concern throughout the country. What is the United States going to do to become less dependent on oil from Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, etc.? High prices for gasoline and fuel oil, how to make automobiles more fuel-efficient, how to clean up dirty air and other issues should be part of a comprehensive energy strategy both for the state and the nation.

Such discussions would benefit greatly from the participation of the state’s best scientific minds, many of whom can be found on its university campuses. This being the case and considering how many legislators and other Kansans look upon Kansas University with disgust, it is difficult to understand why KU officials do not do everything they can to promote the talent and expertise of KU faculty members in helping Kansas be a leader in the energy arena.

Until now, it seems just the opposite has occurred. KU faculty members find it difficult to share their talents, wisdom, expertise and vision with state legislators because KU requires faculty members to get approval from the school’s lobbyists or top administrators on Mount Oread before making the trip to Topeka.

It is a dumb policy, a policy that should be modified or reversed and a policy that keeps state lawmakers from becoming acquainted with faculty members. Lawmakers hear more than enough from KU administrators, most often with their hands out asking for more money, but not as much as they should from world-class faculty members who are eager to share their ideas.

Several KU faculty members with international reputations in energy-related fields have pointed out Kansas sits on a huge supply of coal, vast amounts of oil and gas and a high potential for wind generation. It also has a nuclear power plant that enjoys an excellent production and safety record.

This being the case, these professors believe Kansas could host a conference on energy that could be the best such gathering in the country. “We have the energy sources underneath us, we have sun and wind, and we could be the leader in energy research,” one KU faculty member said.

This particular faculty member, and others, would be pleased to visit with state lawmakers about the energy situation and how Kansas could be a national leader in trying to come up with answers that could help the entire country. Even though a number of Kansas legislators want to hear what faculty members have to say, the faculty find it extremely difficult to make that contact.

At a time when the chancellor and provost are making so many efforts to gain additional funding for KU faculty members, it is strange they do not encourage these same faculty members to share their ideas and vision with lawmakers.

If the dumb policy were changed, who knows what might happen? The lawmakers, through their personal contacts with faculty members might change their attitude about the value of these teachers and researchers and the need to reward them for what they do for the state. Relatively little has been accomplished by the ineffective efforts of those in Strong Hall.

When several legislators learned of KU’s policy, they were stunned. They were ready to ask members of the Kansas Board of Regents: “What is going on. We should look to these faculty members as the source of good ideas and expertise. Why do we have to get the OK from your lobbyist and/or the chancellor? It doesn’t make sense.”

The state’s rejection of the Holcomb plants triggered angry reactions from many in western Kansas who said those in the more urban and economically healthy eastern part of the state did not realize the importance of building the plants, the jobs they would create and the taxes they would contribute to the state.

KU and Lawrence were the target of particular scorn because they were looked upon as some of the prime opponents to the plants. This can’t help but affect the attitude of many state legislators toward KU. Why not put KU in the position of providing expertise that will help legislators make sound decisions on important energy issues?

Why not have Kansas set an example for the rest of the country in finding solutions and ideas to ease the nation’s energy crisis? Why not use the talents of exceptional faculty members at KU, Kansas State University and Wichita State University to figure out how to develop the technology to build coal-fired power plants that are the cleanest in the world? Why not have Kansas set the example for the rest of the country? Why not have Kansas be the center of research and technology on how to take advantage of this nation’s vast supply of coal?

Why not be a leader rather than a meek follower? It’s fine to talk about “green” energy – and solar and wind power sources should be developed – but that can only make a dent in the nation’s power needs. Nuclear energy and clean coal energy could make a huge difference.

Think of what that would do for the state’s economy and the good of the entire nation?

KU’s current policy of restricting state legislators’ access to outstanding faculty members doesn’t make sense. It’s counterproductive in so many ways. Why not have the state take advantage of the tremendous talent and vision of so many teachers and researchers?

The Holcomb plant offers an opportunity for Kansas to show it can devise the nation’s cleanest coal-fired plant. An outstanding national conference on energy put together by faculty members and those in the energy business could be the best in the nation.

Why not give it a try rather than sitting around, wringing our hands and predicting the demise of this nation as a world leader?