To the editor:

This letter is concerned with the firing of Secretary of Health and Environment Rod Bremby. While Gov. Parkinson denies that Bremby’s ousting had anything to do with coal politics, Bremby was the first state regulator in the United States to deny the building of a new coal plant based on environmental and health risks posed by CO2, and the controversy surrounding coal politics in Kansas suggest this was no mere “reassignment” request.

As students, faculty members and residents of Kansas, it is our obligation to speak out against this corrupt use of political power. It is unacceptable that Bremby’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the permitting process, the health of Kansans and the environment resulted in his firing. It is unacceptable that the dirty business and dirty money behind coal energy has usurped the democratic process in this state.

We demand that:

1. all of the facts behind the “reassignment” and subsequent firing of Bremby are made available to the public;

2. all public comments against the coal plant be given the due consideration and response that Bremby’s commitment to the fairness of the permitting process would have ensured;

3. Bremby be reinstated to his position as secretary of Health and Environment until all details of Parkinson’s secret agreement with Sunflower and any role of this agreement in Bremby’s firing are made public;

4. the EPA takes over the permitting process, since KDHE has come under too much pressure to oversee a fair process.

Teresa Zaffiro and Marisol

Cortez for Eco-Justice!,

Lawrence