Archive for Thursday, May 1, 2008

Speaker says House will override coal veto tonight

May 1, 2008

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— Kansas House Speaker Melvin Neufeld said the House will try this evening to override Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' veto of a bill that would authorize construction of two 700-megawatt coal-fired power plants.

Asked if he had the required two-thirds majority to override, Neufeld, R-Ingalls, said, "We believe so."

The House will re-convene at 6 p.m. to take up a companion energy bill and then the override

In the most contentious issue of the 2008 legislative session, Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. and two out-of-state partners want to build the coal-burning plants in southwest Kansas.

Sebelius vetoed a bill clearing the way for the plants because of environmental, health and fiscal concerns.

The project would annually emit 11 million tons of carbon dioxide, which is linked to climate change. And most of the power would be sold to customers in Colorado and Texas. The bill also stripped the Kansas Department of Health and Environment of much of its regulatory authority in permitting power plants.

Supporters of the plants say they will be among the cleanest-burning in the country, and the $3.6 billion construction cost will boost the western Kansas economy.

On Wednesday, the Senate overrode Sebelius' veto 32-7, five votes more than the required two-thirds majority.

In the 125-member House, 84 votes are needed to override a veto.

In addition, the House will consider a bill that could increase the portion of the project for Kansas use, from 200 megawatts to 400 megawatts. The bill would also establish a 2-cent per month charge on every electric customer in the state. Those funds would go toward developing Sunflower Electric's bio-energy center - and statewide energy efficiency and weatherization programs.