Coal-plant bills differ
By The Emporia Gazette (Contact)
Originally published 02:20 p.m., February 19, 2008
Updated 02:20 p.m., February 19, 2008
TOPEKA — Senators and House members are preparing to bargain over the final version of a bill to allow two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas, hoping whatever they draft can survive a potential veto by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.
But doubts remain about their chances for success. The House planned to take final action Tuesday on a bill dealing with the proposed plants. The Senate approved its own measure last week.
The House bill includes “green” provisions, such as a mandate that utilities generate 5 percent of their electricity by 2012 from renewable resources such as wind. Such provisions are designed to pick up votes from House members who worry that carbon dioxide emissions from new coal-fired plants would contribute to global warming.
Goodgovernance (anonymous) says...
The Holcomb expansion with fossil fuel is simply a "poison pill" to destroy the economics of Kansas wind power in that wind power rich area.
This would drain millions of dollars of self generated Kansas renewable energy production sales into purchases putting the profits in the hands of out of state Wyoming fossil fuel producers for the life of the power plant.
Kansas should be a net producer of energy not a net importer. Building this coal fired plant is a prescription for energy dependence and poverty.
February 19, 2008 at 8:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )