Topeka ? A former utility regulator is leading an advocacy group formed by supporters of two coal-fired power plants heading into a legislative debate over the state’s decision to block their construction.

The Alliance for Sound Energy Policy, based in Hays, describes itself as an advocate of “balanced” policy that doesn’t ignore any reasonable option for meeting the state’s energy needs. On Friday, the group introduced Brian Moline, a former chairman of the Kansas Corporation Commission, as its chairman.

Moline said the debate in Kansas over energy has turned into “pro-coal, anti-coal,” and his group wants Kansans to have a broader discussion.

The alliance formed after Rod Bremby, secretary of health and environment, denied a construction permit in October to Sunflower Electric Power Corp. for two coal-fired plants outside Holcomb in southwest Kansas. Bremby cited the plants’ potential carbon dioxide emissions and the dangers of global warming.

Sunflower and the six western Kansas electric cooperatives that own the utility are members of the alliance. So, too, are other groups supporting Sunflower’s $3.6 billion project for its economic development potential, including two unlikely allies, labor unions and the Kansas Chamber of Commerce.

Legislators who support the project expect to respond with one or more bills, though they don’t know what form the proposals will take. The Legislature begins its annual session Monday.

“We are pro-sound, balanced energy policy,” Moline said. “The debate should be over the appropriate mix of sources.”

Craig Volland, a Sierra Club activist from Shawnee, said having Moline serve as the alliance’s chairman is “a clever move.” He said talking about balanced energy policy is a standard tactic used by supporters of new coal-fired plants.

“It also raises serious concerns in my mind about the impartiality of the KCC on these energy issues, because obviously Mr. Moline has been there for a long time and must have had a lot of influence there,” Volland said.

The most vocal legislative supporters of Sunflower’s project have been Republicans, including House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, of Ingalls, and Senate President Steve Morris, of Hugoton. But some of Sebelius’ fellow Democrats have criticized Bremby’s decision, and Moline is a Democrat.

He served as the KCC’s top attorney in 1979-85 and 1991-95 when fellow Democrats John Carlin and Joan Finney were governor. The KCC sets utility rates and ensures that companies provide reliable service, but the Department of Health and Environment determines whether they obtain the environmental permits needed to operate their generating plants.

Republican Gov. Bill Graves appointed Moline to the KCC in December 1998, and he became its chairman in May 2003, after Sebelius took office. He retired in May 2007.

Asked about Moline serving as chairman of the alliance, Sebelius said in a statement: “I’ve known Brian for a very long time, and I’m sure he’ll do well at whatever challenge he tackles.”

Sebelius and Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, the co-chairman of an energy policy council, are championing the development of wind power.

They have argued that the state won’t need new coal-fired plants if it has more wind farms and is more aggressive about promoting conservation. The Sierra Club takes a similar position.

Moline said meeting the state’s energy needs isn’t an “and/or proposition.”

“On a personal basis, we probably were too slow in pursuing renewables and efficiencies,” Moline said. “We’re certainly not opposed to those, but we certainly think that the need mix needs to be a balanced one.”

Legislators who support the Sunflower project argue that because the wind doesn’t blow consistently, the state can’t rely on it to supply around-the-clock electricity needs that will grow in the near future.

As for Sunflower’s project, Neufeld said: “We want the plants built, obviously, but we’re going to do it in a reasonable way.”