Energy conference at KU to feature Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback

Shortly after coming to office, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback opened up his own home, the governor's mansion in Topeka, to talk about energy efficiency upgrades people can make at home. Brownback will kickoff the KU Energy Conference on April 14.

Gov. Sam Brownback’s speech is scheduled for 9 a.m., and John Hofmeister will speak at lunch. For the public, the cost to attend is $45. For students it is free. To register, visit the KU Energy Club’s website at kuenergyclub.com.

From the former president of one of the world’s largest oil companies to an executive of a company that makes electric vehicle charging stations, an energy conference at Kansas University will pull from a wide range of industry experts.

But the most anticipated speaker will likely have more to say on state energy issues.

Kicking off the conference will be Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, who, shortly after taking office in January, promoted energy conservation and finding creative sources of renewable energy as ways to meet that state’s energy challenges.

Brownback also has been a strong supporter of Sunflower Electric Power Corp.’s controversial plan to build a coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas.

The conference, which will be next Thursday at the Oread Hotel, 1200 Oread Ave., is intended to pull “as broad a range of speakers as we can,” said Diane Silver with the KU Energy Council.

“The governor’s ideas on energy are absolutely vital for the state,” Silver said.

The conference is a collaborative effort between the KU Energy Club, a student group, and the KU Energy Council, an interdisciplinary academic organization made up of distinguished professors active in energy research, development and education.

“The students are very interested in promoting conversation, discussion and debate on all aspects of energy,” Silver said.

Along with Brownback, the conference’s keynote speaker will be John Hofmeister, a retired president from Shell Oil Co. and now CEO of the nonprofit Citizens for Affordable Energy. In his book “Why We Hate the Oil Companies,” Hofmeister advocates for affordable and nonpartisan energy solutions.

Other speakers include Larry Kinder, founder and president of Lily Pad EV, a company that sells public charging stations for electric vehicles, and representatives from the electric, wind and oil refinery industries.

Panels will focus on carbon regulations, transportation and power generation.

“We all need to start thinking about this — consumers, educators, policy makers, everyone,” Silver said. “If we don’t have efficient, sustainable forms of energy to use, our whole society is in trouble.”

LesBlevins 2 years, 1 month ago

It seems there are a few problems with this article. One is he writer says about Governor Brownback; "shortly after taking office in January, promoted energy conservation and finding creative sources of renewable energy as ways to meet that state’s energy challenges" but I think she (Ms Metz) is somehow prone to or forced to ignore some of the facts. My attorney's letter to Brownback points out the deficiency of this position as Gov Brownback nor his staff have responded with any interest in learning more details about my proposal for bringing a new alternative/renewable energy system to bear on the problems Kansans face every day. Anyone who requests it with an email to LBlevins@sunflower.com will be sent a copy of the letter via return email.

Yesterday the US Senate rejected a measure to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas emissions blamed for warming the planet. Perhaps this will prompt the governor and others who still support dirty energy projects to come to their senses and look for viable alternatives to outdated coal-fired power.

just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 2 years, 1 month ago

We all know that Brownback will occasionally throw out a few platitudes about energy conservation and renewable energy sources, but in the end, his energy policy will be nothing more than ramping up subsidies, and removal of regulations, for the old fossil industries that own the Republican Party.

Apparently Diane Silva and Sam Brownback are not aware or don't want to acknowledge that waste to energy could meet as much as 10% of our electricity demands. Add to that another 10% that could be derived from agricultural residues and purpose grown energy crops. Then add to that another 10% that could be saved by community supported energy projects that reduce inefficiency and power line losses that result from sending out power over long run transmission lines from inefficient centralized power generation stations to load centers like towns and cities.

Brownback wants to repopulate counties by bribing people to return to counties that have been loosing population by offering state income tax deferments. One problem I see with that is the state is already running a very tight budget and another is if people don't have a job to go to in a county a tax deferment isn't likely to attract them to relocate there. I had my attorney draw up a letter to Brownback offering a public private collaboration designed to provide jobs in all Kansas counties as an inducement for repopulating them but the Gov hasn't seen fit to even respond to my letter which I'll provide for anyone to read that asks for it.

Kontum1972 2 years, 1 month ago

did ya put a couple crisp C note's in the letter?

hedshrinker 2 years, 1 month ago

What a flaming, oxymoronic concept, putting the Gov and energy conservation in the same sentence....he of the massive support for the coal plant....and then to house it in that hideous pile of rocks....I have to get away from this computer and go back to work before I just self-combust!

CLARKKENT 2 years, 1 month ago

JUST READING THE HEADLINE IS REASON ENOUGH NOT TO READ THE STORY, OR ATTEND THE MEETING.

Fidogump 2 years, 1 month ago

He's full of hot air. Where are the jobs he promised? Doesn't even talk about them.

mloburgio 2 years, 1 month ago

We have been tea-bagged! ■Kansas leaders should not be allowed to arbitrarily deny permits to buld new power and energy-producing plants. Carbon dioxide, one of the most common elements on earth, should not be declared a pollutant nor used as an excuse to deny the construction of new power plants in Kansas. We oppose any so-called Cap and Trade legislation. ■Kansas must establish its role as an energy producer and exporter. We must encourage the development of alternative energy supplies, while continuing to support the oil and gas industry within the state. Increasing energy sources will inevitably create a more market-based system which ultimately lowers utility prices for consumers. http://www.freestaterambler.com/?p=13

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