Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson are urging Congress to renew tax credits designed to help renewable energy companies.

About $500 million in investment and production tax credits are due to expire Dec. 31.

Sebelius and Parkinson sent a letter Friday to congressional leaders and members of the Kansas delegation urging Congress to provide multiple years’ worth of tax credits to nurture renewable energy.

“Renewable energy plays an important role in our nation’s energy security,” Sebelius and Parkinson wrote. “By diversifying our domestic energy supply, we can fight the inconsistency of fuel prices and prepare for a safer, more efficient future for our country.”

Investment credits go to businesses and home owners who invest in equipment for solar power. The production tax credits are based on the kilowatt hours of electricity produced by renewable resources, such as wind.

Industry officials worry that unless the tax credits are renewed, they’ll have to abandoned planned expansions or even cut their payrolls and cancel projects.

As governor, Sebelius has advocated the construction of wind farms in Kansas.

Judge’s case

A Leavenworth County judge’s planned retirement has prompted a state panel to put a disciplinary case against him on hold.

An examiner for the state Commission on Judicial Qualifications has alleged that District Judge Frederick Stewart engaged in inappropriate conduct toward an administrative assistant from 1999 to 2007.

The examiner said the conduct included touching, sexual advances and requests for sexual favors. Stewart says the allegations are false and told the commission in a written response that they aren’t corroborated by “any credible evidence.”

Stewart announced earlier this month that he plans to retire Oct. 1. He’s served as a judge since 1977, and his attorney has said he’s been contemplating retirement for the past two years.

A hearing panel for the commission issued an order Friday putting the case on hold until Stewart seeks post-retirement judicial assignments. Retired judges sometimes hear cases to help courts with their workloads.

Panel Chairman Robert Fleming noted in the order that the Kansas Supreme Court has said judicial discipline is designed to protect the “honor and dignity” of the judiciary, “rather than the punishment of the individual.”