THE KANSAS Legislature has been spending its time this week reconciling the House and Senate versions of a bill that would clear the way for construction of two coal-fired power plants in southwestern Kansas. If the bill is passed, as is likely, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has promised to veto it. So has Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson, who will become governor if the U.S. Senate confirms Sebelius as secretary of Health and Human Services.
Sebelius vetoed three similar bills in the 2008 session. The bill’s supporters could not raise enough votes to overide the vetoes. They believe that, this time, they can force the bill past the governor. Perhaps they can.
But, as has been said in this space before, it doesn’t matter.
Right now, trying to support construction of coal-fired power plants that use the current coal technology — or any technology likely to become available in the next five or 10 years — is like trying to save the buggy-whip industry in 1915.
There is no question that Kansas will need more electricity down the road or that coal is a cheap fuel to burn to generate electricity. But there is also no question that coal is one of the dirtiest sources of energy on Earth. The gases emitted when coal burns pollute the sky, contributing to global climate change. The ash that remains after the coal is burned pollutes the ground.
It has become plain that, given public resistance and expected new government regulation, no new coal plants are likely to be built unless and until a real “clean coal” technology is developed.
Even the power industry is beginning to recognize that time has run out on traditional coal technology.
Earlier this week, USA Today reported that four power companies around the nation have canceled or put on hold plans for coal plants.
In Nevada Last month, NV Energy said it would delay the construction of a plant until “clean coal” technology is available.
A utility in Montana stopped construction of a coal plant and will instead build wind turbines and a plant fired by natural gas.
A company in Iowa scrapped plans for a new, big coal plant. USA Today said the company cited “increasing environmental, legislative and regulatory uncertainty regarding regulation of future greenhouse gas emissions” as part of the reason for the decision.
The coal-plant fight in Kansas has been portrayed by coal’s supporters as a battle against usurpation of power by a state bureaucrat (Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Rod Bremby, who denied the coal-plant application). It is not.
The lawmakers are not fighting bureaucrats or politicians. They are fighting a change in the way the nation — and a growing number of energy companies — think about coal. That is a fight they cannot win.
shadou (anonymous) says...
Mr. Kelly, I'm sure it was merely an oversight but you left out the little problem of health, rather poor health, that is entailed by coal smoke and fly ash. It seems that you are not alone, however. Our legislators seem to have conveniently forgotten how damaging to us these plant extensions are.
Two of our legislators are directly involved in fostering the good health of their constituents. Both have come out strongly as anti-smoking advocates because of health impairment issues. But they turn a deaf ear and a blind eye to a much bigger problem.
What seems to be their problem? And the third local legislator, although not a health professional, seems blinkered in the same way. Is there something that overrides their concern for our health, something about which we have not been informed?
Sincerely,
Doug Morrisey
March 14, 2009 at 8:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
One word Doug . MONEY
March 14, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Frank (anonymous) says...
This has been a battle between big bucks from the coal industry and concern for Kansans and humanity. The Republicians have sold out their constituents, joined by a few Democrats who have been leaned on by the railroad industry that would haul the coal down from Wyoming. There's nothing in it for Kansans. They'd use our water, foul our air. There's no guarantee for jobs building or running the plants.
The Republicans could have compromised by accepting a permit for a single plant. The power will be going to Colorado, Texas and Oklahoma...almost none would stay in the state. But they insisted on all or nothing last session of the legislature, squandering the whole session, and when we're in the throes of economic upheaval, they're at it again.
Their bill would deregulate the energy industry. We're on the brink of depression caused by deregulation and they want still more.
March 14, 2009 at 10:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )