Topeka ? Hoping to spark more development of wind energy, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius on Monday issued an executive order forming the Kansas Wind Working Group.

The purpose of the 33-member group is to attract more wind power projects to the state, Sebelius said.

“Opportunities for increased wind energy within this state are plentiful, affordable and obtainable,” she said.

Currently, Kansas produces about 364 megawatts of wind-generated energy.

Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, who will be chairman of the group, said, “By opening the dialogue between advocacy groups, utility companies and communities across our state we can form a shared vision on how best to move forward with new wind projects in Kansas.”

Energy in general, and wind energy in particular, promises to be a major issue during the 2008 legislative session, which starts next Monday. Last year, the Sebelius administration rejected two coal-fired power plants, citing concerns about carbon dioxide emissions and global warming.

Wind advocates say there is a lot more potential in the state for wind energy, but a recent decision by state regulators was decried by the state’s largest utility, Westar Energy Inc., as inhibiting development.

Last month, the Kansas Corporation Commission agreed to Westar’s plan for 300 megawatts of wind energy, but rejected the company’s bid for additional profits for the effort. Westar responded, saying that while it would go ahead with the 300 megawatt plan, it would postpone an additional 200 megawatts of wind energy.

The Kansas Wind Working Group will be supported by the Energy Programs Division of the Kansas Corporation Commission and Parkinson’s office. Approximately $30,000 in funding for the Kansas Wind group will be provided by Wind Powering America, which was set up by the U.S. Energy Department to promote wind energy.

The group’s first meeting will be Jan. 18 at Wichita State University. Members of the group include representatives of utilities, businesses, environmental organizations, cities and counties.

Scott White, project development and technology manager for Lawrence-based JW Prairie Windpower LLC, will be in the group, as will Dan Nagengast of Lawrence, who is head of the Kansas Rural Center.

“While we have a lot of wind, we don’t have the transmission capacity to move the electricity to large markets,” White said, citing the need for more power lines.

And he said major utility companies’ large investment in coal-fired power has slowed wind development.

Formation of the new group also comes as criticism has arisen over the Kansas Energy Council, which advises Sebelius and the Legislature on energy issues. Last year, the council, which is co-chaired by Parkinson, refused to take a stand on the issue of climate change, which prompted criticism from Parkinson.