Archive for Monday, April 13, 2009
New battle expected after Gov. Sebelius vetoes coal-burning power plant bill
Gov. Kathleen Sebelius followed through on her promise to veto a bill that would allow the construction of two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.
April 13, 2009
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It’s a showdown over coal-burning power plants again.
On Monday, as expected, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed legislation that would allow construction of the two 700-megawatt plants in southwest Kansas.
She vetoed three similar bills last year. In her newest veto message Monday, Sebelius said of the legislation, “What was a bad idea last year, is an even worse idea today.”
President Barack Obama is moving toward regulating carbon dioxide emissions, and Kansas doesn’t need the plants for its own energy needs, she said.
And, she said, the Legislature’s attempt to marry renewable initiatives to the bill was a failure because many of the so-called “green” provisions ended up watered down.
“Once again, as the rest of the country moves toward a renewable energy future, the Legislature is intent on darkening Kansas’ energy future with new coal plants that will provide energy we don’t yet need,” she said.
The veto sets up a showdown with lawmakers when they return for the wrap-up session on April 29. A two-thirds majority is required to overturn a veto.
While the Senate has voted to override in the past, the House has always fell a few votes short. But House Speaker Mike O’Neal, R-Hutchinson, has said he believes when the time arrives, the House will override.
Meanwhile, as the battle brews up again, the Colorado-based electricity supplier that has been a major player in pushing for approval has dropped the project from its “near-term” planning and increased its focus on renewable energy.
“The delays in permitting the Kansas project make it unlikely to be available in the near-term,” said Ken Anderson, executive vice president and general manager of Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
“If a project is eventually permitted, it would remain an option for our long-term resource needs,” Anderson said.
In 2005, Tri-State announced a plan to buy power from the plants that Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. proposed building near Holcomb.
But in 2007, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Rod Bremby blocked Sunflower’s proposal over concerns about the project’s potential of 11 million tons per year of carbon dioxide emissions and global warming.
That decision has produced the ongoing political standoff.
Last week, Tri-State’s board said it would review its plans for coal-based power and work more on renewable energy, natural gas and energy efficiency to meet the needs of 1.4 million customers in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming.
But Sunflower Electric officials said Tri-State remains committed to the Kansas project.
“They’re doing what everyone else is doing and that is looking at their options,” said Cindy Hertel, a spokeswoman for Sunflower Electric.
Stephanie Cole, a spokeswoman for the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club, said Tri-State should listen to its own statements about potential regulations on carbon dioxide.
“The risks that Tri-State has acknowledged equate to potentially high rates for ratepayers,” Cole said. “As Tri-State re-evaluates, we encourage them to seriously consider the risks the Holcomb expansion poses to ratepayers and the environment.
As part of its near-term planning, Tri-State said it will expand its resources by:
• Contracting for 220-megawatts of natural gas-based capacity in eastern Colorado.
• Developing a 30-megawatt solar plant in New Mexico.
• Encourage community-based renewable energy projects.
• Enhance energy efficiency including incentives for customers to buy ENERGY Star-rated appliances.
• Commissioning a study on further energy efficiency savings.
More like this
- New coal-fired electric plant near Holcomb now off company's near-term agenda 12 comments / April 13, 2009
- Tri-State reviews long-term coal plans 2 comments / April 11, 2009
- Colo. power company interested in Sunflower coal plants looking at how it could be more efficient 11 comments / February 9, 2009
- New study by environmental group questions viability of coal-burning plants 46 comments / November 10, 2008
- Tri-State contemplates nuclear plant in Colo. 19 comments / April 9, 2008
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13 April 2009
at 6:51 p.m.
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Centerville (Anonymous) says…
If she's such an energy genius, why are our bills going up?
14 April 2009
at 12:37 a.m.
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KS (Anonymous) says…
What a joke! She is here in Kansas signing a veto of this bill and at the same time lying to the US Congress about how much money she got from Tiller. Three times more than what she reported. She is really going to fit in with BHO. I just don't know how that guy can say what he does and keep a straight face? Plenty of practice in Chicago. She is a tax cheat too!
14 April 2009
at 4:38 a.m.
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danemary (Anonymous) says…
Abortion “Queen” just another Kansas JOKE!
14 April 2009
at 7:43 a.m.
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KansasVoter (Anonymous) says…
Thank you, Governor Sebelius. Once again, you've proven that you're one of the only people in state government who actually cares about Kansans.
14 April 2009
at 5:14 p.m.
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billbodiggens (Anonymous) says…
Yep, the coal plants in west kan seem to be shot down. I guess that will leave the bilious poison belching plants north of Topeka and Lawrence to do the job of poisoning Kansas all by ourselves. So, what are you going to do about our mess? Maybe nothing? Sounds like we are jealous of someone else getting jobs and additions to their tax base. Oh, and don’t tell me about all of the product that was going to be sold outside of the state. Nearly everything produced in Kansas depends upon out of state sale. Nearly every high producing industry in Kansas produces undesirable waste. And, don’t justify stepping on an entire region by telling them that they will not need any increase in power supply until 2018. That is just 9 years away. Where are they going to buy the power? From us? You have to be kidding. What a bunch of absolute total fools.
14 April 2009
at 5:30 p.m.
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TomShewmon (Tom Shewmon) says…
Please tell me Sebelius won't be able to get her old job back after she gets the boot from her new job? Cheating on taxes, Westar shareholder, lying about Tiller donations?
14 April 2009
at 9:36 p.m.
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zzgoeb (Anonymous) says…
When will the knuckleheads trying to pass this off on us get the message?! Our state is already flooded with all types of pollution from many sources. We need to clean up the plants we have, and NEVER build another coal plant here. Kudos to the governor for her stand!
15 April 2009
at 8:34 a.m.
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DougCounty (Anonymous) says…
I find it fascinating that given the resistance against the Holcomb expansion project, Tri-State, the main buyer of the new power and having a record of resisting doing things differently, is now looking hard at expanding its renewables portfolio, doing a much better job supporting energy efficiency, and in general, doing the right things for the future. This re-affirms that Sebelius did the right thing, and while Sunflower Power investors may be the big losers in this, perhaps they can do the same thing and find a renewable project that can get them out of their financial hot water, which, it seems to me was behind the whole coal expansion project in the first place.
16 April 2009
at 9:56 p.m.
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tennesseerader (Anonymous) says…
She would rather ruin the flint hills with wind mills than produce cheap energy that would really make us more self sufficient.