Winfield — Local officials who worked for years to get a wind farm in a southeast Kansas county are angry they weren't consulted before Gov. Sam Brownback entered into an agreement with wind-energy companies to expand the area of the Flint Hills where new wind turbines are off-limits.
Cowley County commissioners had been working with a company, BP Wind Energy, to build a wind farm in the northeast corner of the county. That area now falls within the Tallgrass Heartland, an 11,000-square-mile chunk of Kansas now protected from wind farm growth, the Wichita Eagle reported Sunday.
The new area is more than twice the size of the off-limits area that former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius established in 2005. Brownback's deal with wind-energy companies was announced earlier this month.
"I can't believe the governor would do that," said Goff Searl, a commissioner in Chautauqua County, which sits next to Crowley County and is in the protected area. "That's economic development he just said no to."
Although his county didn't have plans for a wind farm, Searl said it wasn't right for the government to take away its right to do so.
More than 400,000 acres of tallgrass prairie once covered North America, but only about 4 percent of that is left, most of it in the Flint Hills of Kansas. Brownback envisions economic development in the area, but in the form of tourism, not energy generation.
Some county officials, lawmakers and landowners are irate. Not only were they not included in discussions about expanding the protected area, they weren't even told about it. Property rights and the potential loss of economic development opportunities are among the biggest issues for them.
Three state legislators who live in the county — two Republicans and one Democrat — sent a joint letter of protest to Brownback. Cowley County Commission Chairman Gary Wilson sent two emails to President Barack Obama, but Wilson doesn't think that will do any good.
Asked why Brownback didn't consult with local landowners and county officials, spokeswoman Sherriene Jones-Sontag said in an email that county commissioners weren't contacted. She didn't respond to a request for a further explanation.
Existing wind farms and proposed ones that have an agreement to sell power to a utility are allowed to continue operating in the area, but won't be able to expand.
Cowley County commissioners said BP Wind Energy needed only to obtain a power purchase agreement with a utility before it could start building. But company officials said they were already considering pulling out of the project for other reasons, before Brownback announced his plan.
"I think there were probably already a few nails in that coffin," said Karl Pierce, BP's business development director who oversaw the Cowley County project.
He said BP had been trying to get a power-purchase agreement since 2006, but wasn't close to getting one. Also, two of the larger leases on the 30,000-acre project expired in December and January.
"We were trying to decide what to do about the leases," Pierce said. "We were in that decision mode, anyway. Then this (expanded restricted area) came up and helped us make our decision."
In addition to Cowley County, officials in Morris, Marion, Elk, Butler and Chautauqua counties also said they weren't consulted about Brownback's deal. Nor were the three members of the county's legislative delegation, who said they heard about the plan after the fact.
That prompted Sen. Steve Abrams, R-Arkansas City, and Reps. Kasha Kelley, R-Arkansas City, and Ed Trimmer, D-Winfield, to send a letter to the governor arguing that excluding county officials "appears to fly in the face of the concept of open and transparent government."
Comments
happypill4014 2 years ago
I will say it again - Dictatorship anyone?
hujiko 2 years ago
wtg bb
nugget 2 years ago
All hail the emperor, Governor Brokeback.
yourworstnightmare 2 years ago
You got what you voted for.
happypill4014 2 years ago
NOT what I voted for....
none2 2 years ago
Either he is a tyrant or a fool.
Kontum1972 2 years ago
gas chambers are next....off to the Reichstag.....
lounger 2 years ago
He is a scary dude and I did not vote for him. However protecting the flint hills is a good choice in this matter. Its really a jewel in the middle of farm land. Most states protect the natural wonders and this is no exception. I cant believe Im saying this but I back brownback on this one.
none2 2 years ago
"Jewel in the middle of farm land"??? Prove it by your words and deeds.
1) Are you doing your part to forgo the need for electricity by not using any?
2) If you truly think the Flint Hills need to be protected, then why aren't you calling for the removal of transmission lines, electrical lines and all the other signs of human activity that scar the Flint Hills?
Some of us would rather see a windmill than a stack of smoke, or a nuclear trash generator. You cannot eliminate vast areas of the state which are nearer population centers and say you want a cleaner environment, but don't want it in vast areas of the land. Do you expect them to "stack" windmills in western Kansas to make up for such a stupid move by this governor?
lounger 2 years ago
O.K. none2. I have twenty acres in the flint hills that is a nature reserve-hows that for words and deeds?Careful what you ask for! I have a cabin than has NO electricity out there-so I don't have transmission lines! It is heated by a wood stove and The Cabin was built with recycled native stone and recycled untreated wood pallets. I have spent the last 15 years removing the old metal and what not that the last owners left. Basically removing "all signs of human activity". Im totally against coal plants, way against Nuclear power plants and for wind power-just not right in the middle of the lovely flint hills.
none2 2 years ago
Now the real truth comes out you are just another NIMBY environmentalists. Of course, it is only your play get away spot because if it was your permanent location, odds are you wouldn't be getting on a computer and getting online without such modern convienences. You would at a minimum have to have a solar electrical generating system -- something that some people don't see as attractive either. You would also have to have wires or towers for internet, unless you go with the unreliable satellite internet.
It is too bad that western Kansas doesn't have your same NIMBY attitude. Then we could just shelve wind generation of electricity all together. Do not that unlike one of your earlier posts, there are places in western Kansas that aren't just flat farm/ranch land. Ever heard of the Gypsm Hills? Ever heard of Jacobs Well or Big Basin? Oh no, those places don't count because that isn't YOUR area that YOU consider too pretty to help with environmentalism.
So the next time you want to preach your NIMBY attitude, remember that plenty of civilization is near the Flint Hills. Making electricity near where its used is the best way to do it because there is less loss of energy. El Dorado, Emporia, Salina, Junction City, Manhattan are just examples of large cities in that area that could all benefit from nearby wind electrical generation.
lounger 2 years ago
Good god none2 I can see why you go by none because you are a hater my friend!! How about some respect for other peeps way of life?? Judging me with such little information reveals that you need some time off and a different perspective. Yes I do use "unreliable satellite" but sometimes its the only way. You go about your drone life and live it out as you see fit. My lady is from western kansas so Im very familiar with the western part of the state and you forgot to mention the cimarron grasslands, the red hills, the chalk pyramids and cheyenne bottoms just to name a few more.
none2 2 years ago
I'm not a hater, I simply smell hypocrisy a mile away. To quote you from a comment last Dec in regards to wind energy:
"lounger (anonymous) says… Im all for wind power but...lets keep it out of lovely eastern kansas and put it in the western part of the state where it could boost tourism. Then the western side of the state could have something "more" to look at...Sheilds at the ready!"
Your lady may be from western Kansas, but your comments don't give any indication of respect for that half of the state. If you meant it as a joke, it isn't very funny at all. You want to take energy from western Kansas, but you don't even want the Flint Hills part of the state to contribute even though the Flint Hills are some of the few areas in eastern Kansas with a decent wind potential. Not only are you picking on western Kansas, but you are neglecting people in the Flint Hills region that might want to develop and use that clean energy for themselves.
Regardless of your personal feelings, if you don't want wind generation on your own personal property that is your right by all means. However, to dictate to all your neighbors is dead wrong. Shouldn't you give them the respect to let them develop wind if they so choose to do so?
I have a set of great great grandparents buried not more than a 1/4 mile from one particular turbine in the large Montezuma field. None of those turbines are noisy. About the only land used up besides the footprint of the turbine is the dirt roads they used to drive between them to service them. I didn't get any electromagnetic induced headaches nor vertigo issues from being near one. I didn't see dead crows, robins, or any other birds any of the times I visited there. I wasn't worried about radioactive wastes. I saw no polluted water. There are no smoke stacks nor noise. I also felt no disrespect that there was a turbin within X miles of a cemetery. All I saw was clean energy being created using a renewable resource -- something that every Kansan should be proud of.
If you truly think the Flint Hills is too good for wind energy, then as far as I'm concerned you aren't that serious about being for alternative energy in Kansas. All the conservation in the world will not replace the need for alternative energy generation, and by far wind is our state's strong point. By the way, the Niagara Falls region has hydroelectric damns, so there are other examples of important natural wonders that co-exist with man's need to harvest energy.
lounger 2 years ago
I see things differently thats all. Im a Native american mix and proud of that and my connection to the land. Whatever your hang up is thats your issue just dont be doling out insults. It just looks bad. P e A c E!!
none2 2 years ago
Then in the future you might refrain from insulting western Kansas. Has it ever dawned on you that being connected to the "land" might include western Kansas too?
lounger 2 years ago
Once again Im not against western Kansas. We are both in the same state for crying out loud! Im sure you have the same converstations that I do about defending kansas as a whole. Im ending this chat. Good luck!!!!!
lounger 2 years ago
What part of "Im for wind energy" didnt you get??
none2 2 years ago
none2 (anonymous) says... To be for an alternative energy you have to be open up for the idea that it has to be developed where that alternative exists. The most common alternatives talked about for electrical generation are geothermal (not to be confused with ground source heating/cooling), wave, wind solar, nuclear fusion. Those are the ones that come to my mind.
Nuclear fusion is still years away. Geothermal and wave energy are not realistic options for Kansas -- Geothermal is more appropriate for places such as around Yellow Stone, and wave obviously has to be around large bodies of water. Solar is somewhat possible, but it doesn't have nearly potential that the southwest US has. Also keep in mind that commercial solar takes a lot more land than wind energy. Here is a ULR with solar map of the US:
http://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html
Wind has a lot of potential in Kansas -- namely western Kansas, but some into the Flint Hills. Here is an entire US map.
http://www.windpoweringamerica.gov/wi...
We as a state and even as a nation need to decide are we going to get serious about alternative energy, or only put it where some people think isn't pretty. (The only legitimate detraction to wind energy I have heard is with birds, but I would add in my limited observations of the Montezuma & Spearville fields, I haven't seen any dead birds. Western Kansas does have birds, but perhaps those particular places aren't places where migrations of birds pass through.)
This isn't about taking away personal property rights and forcing people to put up alternative energy generating equipment. However, when governmental entities explicitly exclude large swaths of land to alternative energy, then they should have more of a reason than "it doesn't look pretty". If they had said we must exclude the Flint Hills because Bald Eagles migrate through and many would be killed, then I might agree with the ban, but that is not the case here.
lounger 2 years ago
Thanks for the info. I do see bald eagles from time to time in the flint hills by the way. I see turkey vultures more now than in previous years and wonder why in the last few years they were on a decline. They seem to have recovered quite well. Oh and dont forget solar. Its come a long way and Our great state is not a bad place for that alternative either.
grandnanny 2 years ago
You may have not noticed the exemptions - the power companies can put up huge transmission towers in the area. Having seen wind turbines and transmissions towers, I prefer the turbines. The huge transmission towers are closer together and have huge wires running between them - not very pretty sights. How are we protecting the flint hills again?
lounger 2 years ago
Very good point grandnanny!
just_another_bozo_on_this_bus 2 years ago
I'd say his motivation was limiting the development of wind energy, and hence competition with coal, natural gas and nuclear, than any interest in preserving the view in the Flint Hills.
cg22165 2 years ago
This.
Combined with others like Moran, who says we need coal power for Kansas, despite having full knowledge that Kansas will be receiving very little of the power.
Let's see, according to the Repubs we need power that we won't be getting, a coal plant will consume water that could otherwise be used for irrigating farmland (where the proceeds would go directly into the local economy, and the proceeds from selling electricity to CO will go where?), and now Brownback places more impediments in the way of developing competition for coal-generated power.
Is it not transparent?
verity 2 years ago
You do have a point there. Brownback is very transparent---but I don't think he means to be. Or he just doesn't care.
yourworstnightmare 2 years ago
Yes, Brownback is using the excuse of preserving the Flint Hills to hinder wind power and assist coal, nuclear, and natural gas. He knows which side his bread is buttered on.
Toto12 2 years ago
Does anyone smell Koch?
verity 2 years ago
"I'd say his motivation was limiting the development of wind energy, and hence competition with coal, natural gas and nuclear, than any interest in preserving the view in the Flint Hills."
Bingo!
Just when you think he can't get any worse . . . .
Governor Brownback, you are never going to be President of the U.S.A. You've cooked that goose. Or maybe you just aspire to a job working for Koch. I'm sure it pays more than the presidency.
BigPrune 2 years ago
George Soros owns politicians all over the country, not to mention reporters - one of his publication mouth pieces does a hatchet job on the Kochs and everyone is up in arms.
Everyone I've ever met from Cowley County is a liberal. They might say they're a republican, but they're a democrat in drag.
cg22165 2 years ago
Hmm, so what you are saying is that you don't recognize that a conservative Democrat, or a liberal Republican could exist. I'd say that means the right-wing has successfully taken over the Republican party.
BigPrune 2 years ago
They have and joyfully so.
Cappy 2 years ago
Thankfully so as it will doom them to permanent minority status once reasonable people get fed up with their shenanigans.
average 2 years ago
Keep making that tent smaller, Prune.
Cappy 2 years ago
Actually, the republicans have a big tent. They're just all huddled in one corner.
gudpoynt 2 years ago
Big Prune, here are links to the 2011 and 2008 general elections for Cowley county. http://bit.ly/lyKdOt http://bit.ly/isNHl1
They show, not surprisingly at all, that your personal experience is in no way a reflection of factual circumstance.
Oh, to live under the shelter of the solipsistic right wing.
Bob_Keeshan 2 years ago
This is a parody post, as BigPrune is dear friends with both Steve Abrams and Kasha Kelley. Both are ultra-conservative, Abrams you may recall led the effort to re-write science standards while on the state Board of Ed.
BigPrune is poking fun.
jesse499 2 years ago
He's from DC and he doesn't have to ask anybody back here anything because he's smarter then we backward homefolk.
gudpoynt 2 years ago
Smaller government! Less government interference!
Holy cow. How many examples of contradiction have to occur before the Teapublican constituency starts to suspect something fishy?
Bob_Keeshan 2 years ago
This is all part of Brownback's "Jobs for Animals" campaign.
Hundreds, nay (neigh?) thousands of horses greet this news with great enthusiasm.
tomatogrower 2 years ago
"Cowley County officials say they weren’t consulted before Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s decision to expand Flint Hills protection area"
Of course he didn't consult you silly. You elected him to be king, didn't you? I know he didn't carry Douglas County. Come on Cowley County. I'm real sure you elected him, so why are you whining now. You mean, you wanted him to represent you?
gccs14r 2 years ago
Is it too late for a recall election?
verity 2 years ago
Who does he think he is, God?
Oh, . . . never mind.
imagainstit 2 years ago
One bit of hope, if Jr. Pope Brownback continues to alienate people of all political affiliations within the state the next four years, his stench may so permeate ill will amongst enough Kansans, that all the Koch money in the world may not buy him the Presidency.
Fidogump 2 years ago
He has as much chance as trump who announced he wasn't running today. Please note that before they couldn't put enough stuff about trump on the website but today both ljw and cj make no mention up to now that trump is out.
merrill 2 years ago
Sam Brownback does not give a damn about the Flint Hills.
His agenda is more toxic dirty coal or nuke power.
Besides economic growth and tons of new jobs are NOT his forte.
Tourism eh? He has no idea what he is talking about. This was rhetoric to distract from this and/or his monster blunder.
merrill 2 years ago
Never forget Sam Brownback is a smart,calculating and deceptive individual.
coloradoan 2 years ago
Although your experiences may tell you otherwise, the simple fact is that the terms you use are mutually exclusive - "lying scumbag" is not what Christianity is about, nor is Sam. He is a faux Christian as far as I can tell, who uses the claim of faith to facilitate his political agenda. He may believe he is sincere, but I don't. A Christian would follow the Christ's example of healing the lame, and tending to the sick - that would mean preserving the KNI as a means of protecting and caring for the disabled.
BrainCase 2 years ago
The Kochs were consulted, and they have more control over what happens in Cowley County than anybody that lives there. Get used to it. We're not even 6 months into Sam's first term.
hear_me 2 years ago
Reside in the correct state. Only 18 states in the United States and the District of Columbia allow for gubernatorial recalls. Only residents in one of these states may recall the governor.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2096902_recall-governor.html
Kansas is one of the states that allows a recall of the governor.
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