Topeka ? Lawmakers on Wednesday introduced 15 energy bills, including one that could be used to address the rejection of two coal-burning electric power plants.

One bill deals with “electric generation, transmission and efficiency and air emissions.” Lawmakers said it was a “shell” bill that could be filled in later with language dealing with the proposed coal plants.

State Rep. Carl Dean Holmes, R-Liberal, and chairman of the House Energy and Utilities Committee, brought the measures to the committee without comment. Committee members voted without dissent to introduce them, which is a common courtesy.

Holmes and other key lawmakers support the proposed $3.5 billion plants in western Kansas and have been highly critical of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius’ administration for rejecting them based on carbon dioxide emissions and global warming concerns.

However, Senate President Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, also a supporter of the coal plants, said he didn’t think lawmakers had the authority to reverse the decision, which was made by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

Morris said some of the bills may eventually deal with KDHE’s regulatory process when considering plant permits. He said KDHE took too long to make a decision on the plants.

The Senate Republican caucus said it wants to develop a “comprehensive Kansas energy policy” including increased electric generating capacity.