by Rhonda Holman for the editorial board of the Wichita Eagle
Surprising no one, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius vetoed the latest legislative attempt to approve two large coal-fired power plants near Holcomb in Finney County.
The Legislature should take a good look at all the economic, political and regulatory changes affecting new coal plants, then take Sebelius’ fourth “no” for an answer.
Instead, GOP legislative leaders can be expected to spend coming days twisting House members’ arms, looking for 10 more votes to override the veto at last. Maybe they’ll find them.
If so, would Sunflower Electric Power Corp. even be able to build the plants?
We’ve asked that question for many months, as we’ve watched proposed coal-fired plants in other states falter because of an inability to find financing in this recession and the likelihood that a Democratic-controlled Congress and new climate-conscious president will approve regulation and taxation of carbon emissions.
The question became more relevant with news that one of Sunflower’s partners, Denver-based Tri-State Generation and Transmission, is examining other options for how to best meet its needs for power. Citing not only the Holcomb holdup but also the recession and threat of federal carbon regulation, Tri-State is pursuing solar, natural gas and energy efficiency.
The long-standing arguments against the coal bill remain strong, too, including that the 1,400-megawatt plants would generate only 200 megawatts of power for Kansas annually and perhaps 140 more jobs after construction ends, while sticking the state with all 11 million tons of carbon dioxide.
The bill also steps on other branches of government, usurping the regulatory authority of Health and Environment Secretary Rod Bremby and pre-empting both the appeals process for his 2007 denial of an air permit for the plant and Sunflower’s legal challenge of it. Plus, the bill disregards an attorney general’s opinion shoring up Bremby’s power to deny the permit.
Meanwhile, this continuing fight is denying the state the value of the renewable energy measures in the bill, including modest net-metering provisions.
Coal plants will continue to be a major generator of Kansas’ power for the foreseeable future. But legislative leaders should stop trying to push through two new plants that would be far larger than necessary to meet Kansans’ needs. This annual spring dance is getting old — and getting Kansas nowhere in pursuit of a cleaner energy future.
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