Topeka — Just two weeks after learning Kansas needed to sweeten the pot to stay in contention for a federal bio-security lab, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius today signed into law legislation that would allow the issuance of $105 million in bonds.
The Department of Homeland Security told states vying for the $451 million National Bio and Agri-Defense Facility to commit to providing a dedicated utility plant for the lab, and other improvements.
"This bill demonstrates that the NBAF continues to be our state's top bioscience priority," Sebelius said. "We believe Kansas is the best home for the NBAF and this investment clearly demonstrates our commitment to this important homeland security issue."
The NBAF bill is the Senate substitute for House Bill 2001.
It has been estimated that Kansas' costs would total $105 million for land, roads, parking, security fencing and a utility plant at the site on Kansas State University's campus in Manhattan.
Paid off over 20 years, the bonds would cost about $8.2 million annually, or $164 million total in principal, interest and fees, officials said.
State leaders say winning NBAF is worth the expense.
Tom Thornton, president of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, said NBAF will have a $1.5 billion economic impact over 20 years, providing 1,000 to 1,500 construction jobs and 250 to 350 permanent jobs.
In October, Homeland Security is scheduled to pick a site. Other contenders are Athens, Ga.; San Antonio; Granville County, N.C.; Madison County, Miss.; and an existing lab at Plum Island, N.Y.
The proposed bonds would only be used if Kansas is selected.
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ENGWOOD (anonymous) says…
Hey Melvin tell the Gov.it's time to play ball with the Utility plants for Western Kansas. And you eco lug nuts were concerned about CO2. How the **ll will you handle all the chemicals that could be in your back yard if this thing flies.
Perfect storm!!!!!!!!!!!
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
engwood...
This facility will go *somewhere*. *Some state* is going to be put at a certain degree of risk. That same state will also reap benefits: research $$$, educational opportunities, jobs, etc.
Do the potential benefits outweigh the potential risk? Probably.
The request, btw, is for a gas-fired power plant... not a coal-fired plant...
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/mar...
The gas-fired plants energy would be exclusively for the NBAF--it wouldn't be sold to towns and cities in the next state, like the plan is/was for the coal plants out in western Kansas.
hornhunter (anonymous) says…
Agnostick,
This facility will go *somewhere*. *Some state* is going to be put at a certain degree of risk. That same state will also reap benefits: research $$$, educational opportunities, jobs, etc.
Sunflower would generate millions in TAXES from people in another states. But yet no one in Kansas will take that risk, so why would Kansas want to take worse risks with this lab?
Power plants are power plants they all create CO2 so Queen Kathy and Bremby need to nixs this too!! CO2 is CO2.....