Topeka ? House Speaker Melvin Neufeld on Friday said he wants the coal-fired power plants built, but denied he intends to lock up the upcoming legislative session over the issue.

Neufeld, R-Ingalls, also spoke of the need to approve legislation that would require photo identification to vote.

He said thousands of illegal immigrants were registering to vote in Kansas. But he declined to provide details of his allegations, and there have been no reports of such problems.

His comments came as House Republicans unveiled their agenda in anticipation of the start of the session on Monday.

In October, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ administration rejected permits to build two coal-burning power plants in western Kansas, citing concerns about carbon dioxide emissions and global warming.

Neufeld said his constituents say he should “put tire tracks across the governor and build it.”

But Neufeld said he was having conversations with Sebelius.

He said the permit denial has shaken up the entire business community because it was made without any regulations in place on carbon dioxide.

Neufeld, however, denied charges from some Democrats that he would tie up legislation to push through a measure to reverse the decision. “I don’t operate that way,” he said.