To the editor:

Our state Legislature has again passed a bill which would allow the construction of two 700-megawatt coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas. However, in the House it was 10 votes shy of what would be needed to override the governor’s likely veto. It is imperative that we contact our representatives and urge them to do what they can to maintain the governor’s veto.

With the latest climate science research findings more dire than ever and groups like the Union of Concerned Scientists urging us to make deep and rapids cuts in our greenhouse gas emissions to avoid catastrophic climate change, the construction of these plants makes little sense. So, I’m disturbed by the support this has among our legislators.

Rep. Carl Holmes, chairman of the House Energy and Utilities Committee, has threatened to block the consideration of any renewable energy initiatives in this committee if the veto stands — an incredibly irresponsible and bullying statement to make. Job creation is certainly critical in our current economic climate, but the estimated additional 250 jobs created for the operation of these plants pale in comparison to the estimated 11,000 jobs that could be created in Kansas for developing renewable energies and greening our existing built environment (from a report authored by the Renewable Energy Policy Project). Such jobs include wind turbine manufacturers, sheet metal workers, machinists, engineers, electricians, renewable energy technicians, and the list goes on. It’s time we stop using fossil fuels — stop using the past — to power our future.