Monthly Archives: June 2010
Wind Power on a Smaller Scale Carries Potential
A fifth-grader at Starside Elementary School in De Soto has an interest in the environment, including helping to recycle much of her family’s trash Continue reading
Electric Utility Industry Can Lead the Way on Energy and Climate Legislation
It’s time for all of us — politicians, business leaders and environmentalists — to put wishful thinking aside, establish realistic goals and develop a consensus for legislation that can be passed this year. If that means capping emissions from the utility sector first — so be it. There is growing consensus in the electric utility industry to act now, so let’s move forward Continue reading
Kansas Sierra Club: “Sunflower Coal Plant Update — It’s Not Over Yet!”
Sierra Club and Earthjustice petitioned the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to require Sunflower to update their permit and host public hearings to allow for citizen input — and we won. The EPA has agreed to our requests and public hearings will likely be scheduled in August. Since we were not allowed to voice concerns when Governor Parkinson entered into an agreement with Sunflower, now is our time to make our voice heard. Continue reading
MIT Researchers See Natural Gas as the Choice for Lower Carbon Emissions
In the results of a two-year study, released today, the researchers said electric utilities and other sectors of the American economy will use more gas through 2050. Under a scenario that envisions a federal policy aimed at cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 50 percent below 2005 levels by 2050, researchers found a substantial role for natural gas. Continue reading
Pass Renewable Energy Standards
Federal approval last week of a cost-sharing plan for an electricity transmission line in Kansas was a key step in profiting from our state’s strong winds. Now what’s needed is for Congress to boost the market for wind energy by approving federal renewable energy standards. Continue reading
USW-AWEA ‘Partnership for Progress’ — This Is What it Should Be All About
Less than two weeks ago, those friends of mine, the United Steelworkers Union, which is the largest industrial union in North America, and the American Wind Energy Association, which represents the vast majority of companies in the wind energy sector, joined in creating their “Partnership for Progress”. Their motivation was simple – they believe that: Continue reading
Staying Competitive in the Clean Energy Race
Even as oil continues to threaten beaches across the Gulf of Mexico, an array of Washington special interests are working to keep Congress from considering legislation that could lessen our dependency on fossil fuels and combat global warming. Indeed, while congressional leaders dither, we risk missing a key window to create badly needed new jobs and support emerging U.S. industries in the rapidly growing global market for clean energy. Continue reading
What Are We Fighting For?
This blog originally ran over seven consecutive days at www.gpace.org, addressing seven of the most common questions we have heard regarding the ongoing energy policy – coal plant debate in Kansas. As the public comment period approaches for Sunflower Electric’s Holcomb Expansion project, the following questions could be helpful resources as you prepare to write your comment. Continue reading
EPA Tells Companies to Bypass Texas Air Permitting
The companies have until Sept. 30 to reapply for the permits directly with the federal agency, according to letters from the EPA to the companies. The EPA has threatened to take over Texas’ air quality program, insisting the state is violating the federal Clean Air Act. Continue reading
Twilight of the Coal Era?
The electricity market is in the doldrums, but the market for new generating stations that use natural gas is going strong, industry experts say. Why? Because gas is beginning to replace coal, according to Randy H. Zwirn, president of the Siemens Power Generation Group. Continue reading
