What does GPACE do? And why do we do it? What are our issues?
As reflected in our mission statement, our members share an interest in energy sources that:
- Are cleaner than our current portfolio and transfer fewer public health and environmental costs from our fossil fuel dependency to future generations.
- Enhance energy and economic security at all levels, but starting with concerns for state and regional realities.
- Provide more robust, accountable, and sustainable employment, investment, and economic opportunities responsive to true local needs and resources.
We also believe it is critical to balance all these priorities when creating accountable public policy.
We recognize impacts and opportunities in other energy sectors (i.e. portable fuels, transportation, etc.), but when we say “energy” we are usually talking about electricity, and usually at utility scale. That’s our focus.
While our work started with organized and collaborative opposition to a specific coal plant – and we remain engaged there – we have broadened our work beyond that single project.
Opposition to irresponsible, unneeded new coal plant construction.
Why would we import coal to fuel massive new coal plants owned by out-of-state utilities, generating electricity for which there is no demonstrated need, and degrading the health and environment of all Kansans?
Why would we let the legitimate public debate about energy policy – and the responsible agencies and public offices – become politicized by dishonest and well-funded efforts to force unneeded coal plants on Kansas?
Critical review of older coal-fired units and support for alternative fuels and improved public health and environmental protections.
Is it better to retrofit aging, polluting coal plants with expensive technology in order to improve public health and environmental quality? Or should old coal plants be decommissioned or switch to cleaner fuels like natural gas and wind, coupled with energy efficiency efforts?
What is “better?” “Cheaper?” “Cleaner?” Who pays? And who decides?
Read more about the Kansas Corporation Commission Coal Plant Retrofit Dockets and provide public comment by June 8, 2011.
Take action to support EPA Proposed Air Toxics Rules.
Read information about the Kansas City Board of Public Utilities public Integrated Resource Plan.
Providing strategic information regarding alternatives to coal in Kansas, and balancing the costs and benefits of all electricity fuel sources.
All energy sources have costs and liabilities. We think there is much to be gained by considering Kansas fuels first. With respect to the resources, political culture, and economic realities in Kansas, we specifically focus on:
- Wind Energy
- Natural Gas
- Energy Efficiency
Though not part of our primary focus, we are also interested in the following:
- Solar Energy
- Hydro-electric Energy
- Geo-thermal Energy
- Biomass Energy
- Compressed Air Storage
We believe there are additional considerations that provide critical context for achieving the best energy outcomes in all instances:
- Economic development – true, comparative costs and benefits.
- Accountability from public and elected officials for public policy and ethical conduct in the public interest.
- Environmental justice – Kansas contains both rural and urban populations and the production and consumption of electricity creates social and economic challenges of special concern to these communities.
- Public health – climate change, mercury poisoning, asthma, heart and lung disease…these are just some of the adverse impacts of electricity production, especially from coal.
- Energy planning and community resilience in the face of significant changes (petroleum depletion, climate change, pollution, rural flight, etc.).
You can find blogs, news articles, and resources related to all of the above on this website.
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