Bill allowing coal plants closer to passage

? A bill allowing two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas has cleared the state Legislature.

The House approved the measure on an 74-48 vote Friday, the day after the Senate passed it, 31-7.

The bill goes next to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

She opposes it, and supporters hope to have the two-thirds majorities in both chambers needed to override a veto. They had enough votes in the Senate but were 10 votes short in the House.

The bill would overturn an October 2007 decision by Sebelius’ administration that prevented Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. from building the plants in Finney County.

The bill also includes provisions to encourage conservation and the development of wind farms and other forms of renewable energy.