To the members of the Kansas Legislature:
The Great Plains Alliance for Clean Energy and its members statewide would like you to know we’re ready to rise to the challenges facing us. We’re ready to become a leader in the new energy economy. We’re ready to usher in a new era of economic growth, energy security, and environmental responsibility.
As we all face economic peril and a global energy crisis, we embrace the opportunity to move forward and find solutions using our state’s own resources and the ethic that has defined generations before us.
As Kansans, we welcome the benefits a renewable energy economy can provide: prosperity for our rural communities; jobs and industry for our cities and towns; and clean energy for a new generation of Kansas homes and businesses.
Whereas Kansas has the third greatest wind resource in the nation;
Whereas 75% of the electricity we use in Kansas is generated from coal, all of which is imported from other states;
Whereas Kansas currently has enough electricity production to meet our needs until at least 2023;
Whereas Kansas has abundant natural resources to become energy independent AND provide clean, renewable energy to help the nation become energy independent;
Whereas the cost of fossil fuels like coal will dramatically increase as carbon emissions are regulated;
We, the undersigned Kansas citizens, demand that you, as our elected representatives,
- Create energy efficiency standards to make the energy we do have go further;
- Prioritize our state’s own energy resources, like wind, solar, and natural gas;
- Invest in electricity production that does not produce harmful pollutants that cause health problems;
- Invest in electricity production that will help stimulate the state’s economy and create long term jobs, investment, and revenue for all of Kansas;
- Keep intact the rule of law that allows state experts to protect ALL Kansans, and vote against any bill that would sacrifice the health and environment of our children to benefit other states or a single company; and
- Use no more of our time or tax dollars debating power plants that use Wyoming coal to make electricity for Colorado and Texas residents.
We cannot afford another year of legislative squabbling and political gamesmanship. The stakes are too high, and our opportunities too great.
While you consider changing Kansas laws to benefit citizens and utility providers from other states, we fall farther behind our neighbors who have worked to develop their own energy resources and industry driven by renewable energy.
We in Kansas have all we need to re-power our state right here at home. What’s lacking is your leadership.
In signing this petition, we call upon you to do what’s best for Kansas and to join us in taking meaningful steps towards renewing the Kansas economy.
Thank you.
Sign our petition with your name and city to show your support for clean energy in Kansas.
February 7th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
This is exactly the activism we need to set Kansas on the path that is necessary.
February 8th, 2009 at 12:24 am
Clean air is a necessity, not something that would just be nice.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:05 am
Let’s secure a bright future for our state by investing in clean, renewable energy today!
February 8th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I am for clean energy and enviormently safe. Coal produces soot and other by products that cause respiratory problems. Wind energy is more efficient and right from the source.
February 8th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
Prioritize our state’s own energy resources, don’t make energy here to ship energy elsewhere.
February 8th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I believe that strongly that the Secretary of KDHE needs to retain the authority to act in the best interests of the health of Kansans, without political interference from legislators.
February 8th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
It is unfortunate that research and development for energy storage is not included in the petition. Since lack of continuous power is one of the bfggest complaints on the dependence on renewables, dealing with that issue in policy is important, in my mind.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Keep Kansas clean, make Kansas a leader in Green technology.
February 9th, 2009 at 10:02 am
It would be wonderful to see clean-energy programs implemented to encourage and inform Kansas land-owners, like my parents, about clean energy production that they can implement on their farms.
February 9th, 2009 at 10:40 am
How can you even consider poisoning the Kansas environment and its denizens?
February 9th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
Dear Kansas Legislators,
As a mother, I am very concerned about the health and welfare of my family and all Kansas families. I do not want Kansas to head down an environmentally destructive and ultimately devastating path that will leave a lasting effect upon our children and future generations to come.
The decision to add more coal-fired power plants in Kansas would be an incredibly regressive move and would prove to the world, yet again, that Kansas is unbelievable naïve and way behind the times. Kansas should not be treated as a sacrificial wasteland so that other states can reap the benefits of cheap power. These coal-fired plants would severely compromise our air quality, contribute to greenhouse gases, and leave Kansas contaminated with mercury.
All of this is so unnecessary. There are already sustainable alternatives to coal-fired energy available, which would have a positive impact on ourselves and future generations. I very much want to see Kansas support alternative energy sources so that we can pass on to our children a world that is safe, healthy, and beautiful.
I urge Kansas Legislators to protect our children. Please DO NOT ALLOW the construction and operation of more coal-fired power plants in Kansas.
Sincerely,
Marie L. Stockett
February 10th, 2009 at 8:46 am
The wind in Lawrence was 45 mph yesterday! With this plentiful FREE resource, why are we thinking of burning coal, which costs money and even lives to produce, transport, and will soon run out?
Terese Thonus
Lawrence, KS
February 10th, 2009 at 10:30 am
It is time that the Kansas Legislature join with the KDHE and the Executive Branch to put the health and well-being of the many ahead of the financial gains of the few. Around the Hays and Russell area, the loudest opposition to wind and solar power is coming from people that are associated and/or vested in the fossil fuel and ethanol businesses; mainly oil. I beleive they see alternative energy as a threat to their wealth.
Please do not allow the construction or expansion of coal-fired power plants in Kansas until new, thougher Federal oversight is in place.
February 10th, 2009 at 11:23 am
If you choose to comment on websites, for the sake of everyone, make sure you know what you are talking about.
I’m pretty sure that interstate commerce would be GOOD for Kansas, especially in this economy, so not sure where you’re going with that…
We’re about to run out of coal? Really? Coal is way more abundant than natural gas, oil or any other fossil fuel we possess, and the US has huge coal reserves. Experts estimate we have over a 250 year supply of it.
Wind power is for efficient? Have you ever read anything about base load generation? What’s inefficient is turning coal/gas-fired plants on and off based on whether the wind is blowing or not. And by the way, check the prices on wind power vs. coal or natural gas power.
Sunflower is one of the most advanced coal plants in the country. With a state of the art wet scrubbing system, they ‘pollute’ less than almost any other plant in Kansas. Can you guess where one of if not the dirtiest plant in Kansas is? Yep, right outside of Lawrence.
If you read the document the KDHE submitted, they require that EGU (electric generating units) put in place some sort system to lower CO2 emissions. Fortunately for Sunflower, and unbeknown to most the eastern side of the state, Sunflower also intends to install a revolutionary algae bioreactor in addition to the two new plants (not one 1400MW plant, two 700MW plants, there’s a difference. No one’s every even built a 1400MW plant, the biggest is just over 1200MW, which makes the media look stupid on this topic). It captures CO2 emissions, pumps them through water to grow algae, and harvests the algae to produce ethanol and biodiesel. It would have lowered CO2 emissions by 40% initially, and in the future had the potential to lower CO2 emissions below the levels they currently are at today (one 350MW plant exists in Holcomb today). Greenfuel technologies is the company set to install the system, and all preliminary tests were successful, they are just waiting for the OK from the KDHE. In fact the KDHE recommended the project get the thumbs up, it was Gov. Sebelius and Bremby that decided to turn it down.
Imagine this, Kansas proving a technology, the first of its kind in the US, that solves our energy crisis. The ability to produce power from the most abundant fossil fuel, cleanly, and produce biofuels from the emissions to lower our dependence on foreign oil. You tell me what would be better for the state. Frankly, it’s naivety and ignorance that is stopping these plans from going through.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
We don’t need more coal. We don’t need more of anything. We need new solutions. I can think of many myself, so why hasn’t the government? Lets start using that constant ocean current, lets guard off areas for windmills. Lets work on implementing and lowering the cost of solar panels. All these things are quite easily achievable. Lets get down to business and do whats right for our environment!
February 10th, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I am saddened by our country’s continued dependence on coal. Coal is not “clean”, nor will it ever be. It ruins lives from pollution and environmental degradation. If we continue on this path of destruction, Kansas may one day be in the headlines like Tennessee is here http://www.democracynow.org/2008/12/29/headlines#6:
Tennessee Coal Disaster Three Times Larger Than First Projected
“In other news, cleanup efforts continue in Tennessee to combat the largest coal ash spill in US history. The Tennessee Valley Authority now says 5.4 million cubic yards of toxic coal sludge spilled out of a coal plant retention pond last week, burying homes and roads. That is three times the size of the TVA’s initial estimate. The amount of ash released would fill 450,000 standard dump trucks. A TVA spokesperson said that tests show elevated levels of lead and thallium in water near the breach. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that “very high” levels of arsenic were found in a water sample collected from the affected area and that several heavy metals have also been found in quantities “slightly above drinking water standards.” The sludge has flowed into the Emory River, a tributary of the Tennessee River, which provides drinking water to millions of people downstream in Tennessee, Alabama and Kentucky.”
Mountaintops are being blown up for coal in the Appalachians, communities are getting the boot, and the natural environment is suffering. We can NEVER have those mountains back in pristine form.
It is time that people wake up and see the unstable future we are creating for humanity and all life on earth. Coal production has got to stop.
February 10th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
The problem with coal-powered energy plants are two-fold:
1. There is no such thing as clean coal.
2. Water is required as a coolant and, in many cases, is also used to produce steam to turn the turbines that converts the energy from burning coal into electricity. Given the rapidly falling water levels in Kansas, can we afford to waste our water on this form of energy production when alternatives such as wind are available?
February 10th, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Interstate commerce WOULD be good for Kansas. But I think doing what is right for the environment would be the wiser choice, given our position current times. Coal simply isn’t the right answer anymore, and it will not be the right answer increasingly in the future.
February 11th, 2009 at 9:22 am
The biggest problem is not production, its usage. The pollution problem is exemplified by the water bottles put in the landfills by “green” people who are too lazy to re-fill a water bottle. YOU can address the issue by doing your share: Stop buying land cruisers, overpowered jet skis, and extravagantly large new homes. Turn the thermostat up in the summer and down in the winter and it won’t hurt you to be a litle uncomfortable. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Unplug the battery chargers you use on all your high-tech gear to eliminate the parasite losses. Turn your computers, gaming systems and TVs off for longer periods and go outside to enjoy the environment you profess to want to save. Simplify your lives and use less energy if you really care! Stop waiting for somebody else to fix the problem.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Try living near a power plant. It’s even worse if you have a sulfur allergy. Our community sits a few miles southwest of one. Sometimes they even burn tires! Wind energy is the way to go.
When they get done with this issue I would like to see them do something about manufacturer responsability for their products post consumer recycling. Some things cost more to recycle than to make. Those new lightbulbs cost 3.75 to recycle in a nearby community and the new red plastic coffee cans are a reclcying nightmare.
Lastly, they can do something about 86% of the solar pannels manufactured here in the usa not staying here. It is not as easy to get solar pannels here in this country as it is in other countries. Why is that?
February 16th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
All one needs to do is check out website grist.org and then you decide if coal was EVER “clean”. Brian needs to see this.
February 17th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Karen:
I’m not saying coal ‘was’ ever clean, we have to find a technology that can make it. The problem with any system today (other than the one Sunflower is pursuing) is that it is extremely costly to the power plants to install, and offers no potential for profit.
Alright, let me step into an environmentalists shoes for a second and look at the US energy portfolio. Let’s say I feel global warming is a critical issue that needs to be resolved in the next decade. The US has roughly 615 coal power plants, and countless gas-fired power plants operating today. What would have a greater effect on lowering CO2 emissions, just halting all coal plant construction, or finding a way to clean up those 615 coal plants that are ‘spewing pollution into the air.’
The ironic part about this debate is that finding a clean coal technology that so many of you claim is ‘non-existent and will never exist’ is critical to your cause. 50% of our country’s electricity is generated from coal, and another 22% from natural gas. Wind and solar make up less than 3%. If I was really concerned with lowering our country’s CO2 emissions and cleaning up other pollutants from coal plants, I think I would let the scientists and inventors do their job to find a clean coal technology. If you stop these two plants from going through, congratulations. For all of us, lets just hope Greenfuel technologies finds another ‘dirty coal plant’ in the 615 that exist in this country to prove its technology on, because your cause is ultimately impeding the greater cause of environmentalists around the country.
March 18th, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Is there a way to become a content writer for the site?
March 18th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Thanks for your interest! Please send an email to info@gpace.org if you’d like to contribute.