We would like to draw your attention to a conference being held by the KU Energy Council on November 18th, at the Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence, Kansas. The event is free and open to the public, but requires registration. The goals of the council are to highlight connections between energy research at KU and state/national policy priorities. We applaud these goals and the opportunity to hear from credible public and private sector experts.
However, nearly the entire afternoon is dedicated to a panel discussion by utility reps to discuss “their vision of the electric power generation and distribution in the coming years; specific innovations or emerging technologies will play a key role in power generation in Kansas; how these innovations will impact the Kansas Economy.” One of the “emerging technologies” specifically mentioned is so-called clean coal.
We know that Sunflower Electric has touted this non-existent technology as part of the proposed Holcomb 2 plant, and we know that they made false claims to legislators and others as they held two consecutive sessions of the legislature hostage to their aims.
Now, the KU Energy Council is providing Sunflower Electric an opportunity to message their clean coal rhetoric under the guise of a credible technology discussion related to the future of Kansas energy policy and KU research (even though they acknowledge no connection between Sunflower Electric and KU).
GPACE made our concerns along these lines clear to the organizers of the conference and asked them to consider including additional voices related to Kansas energy resources and policy – specifically from the Climate and Energy Project and from a national expert on natural gas. We received no response.
Sunflower and their supporters have a documented track record of statements and presentations that are factually suspect, especially with regard to so-called “clean coal” technologies. We see it as a core part of our mission to correct such statements when they are part of the public dialogue surrounding energy policy and investment.
Additionally, Sunflower’s financial and management problems have put the company in a very tenuous position, such that, Sunflower does not have the ability to execute the energy tech R & D, transmission construction, or even the fundamental energy production that they seek through political and policy mechanisms. Almost all the capital and ownership interest will come from out-of-state utilities (probably still Tri-State from Colorado). As such, might it be better to hear directly from the entities that will actually build and control these investments and resources in Kansas?
And Kansas’ tremendous wind energy potential and challenges beg for credible representation as part of any public dialog about energy in the state. The utility perspective is valid here, but limited, and informed by their political and financial self-interest.
The work to create accountable, comprehensive energy policy for Kansas is not over. The battle over the unnecessary Sunflower Electric coal plants is not over. Sunflower still has to secure investment, revise their models, and participate in another round of public hearings regarding the needed air quality permit from KDHE.
We need you to help hold them accountable! Please register and attend the KU Energy Council event on November 18th at the Dole Institute of Politics – especially the afternoon panel session. The event is free and open to the public. Details and registration information can be found here.
Thanks for your continued commitment to clean energy and good government for all Kansans.
Scott Allegrucci, Director
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