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June 6, 2008
Kansas Legislature Sustains Veto of Holcomb Coal Plants
For the third time in a little over a month, the Kansas Legislature
has sustained a veto of a bill that would have allowed construction
of two coal-fired power plants in Holcomb, Kansas, near the border
with Colorado. The vote upholds the rejection of a permit to build
coal-fired power plants by the administration of Kansas Governor
Kathleen Sebelius (D). This is the first time a U.S. coal-fired
power plant has been denied a permit on the basis of carbon
emissions.
The vote was close, 80–45, which was just four shy of the two-thirds
majority needed to override the governor’s veto. In a statement
issued on May 1, the governor sounded conciliatory and said she
would look for a way to work the plant owners. Meanwhile, the owners
are taking their case to the courts.
“We are at a critical period for energy policy in this state and
this country,” Sebelius said. “We must bridge the gap between our
growing energy needs and the time when carbon capturing technology
is a commercial reality. We must move forward strategically –
steering our state clear of the environmental, health and economic
risks of massive new carbon emissions.” For more information, see a
May 1article published online by the Environmental News Service and
titled “Kansas Governor’s Third Coal-Plant Veto Sustained.”
http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/may2008/2008-05-01-094.asp
The U.S. electric power industry and trade press have followed
developments in the Kansas Legislature closely in case they
represent a new trend in public opinion. Most analysts expect the
United States to adopt some sort of climate regulations after
President Bush leaves office at the end of 2008, and these
regulations will likely target conventional coal-fired power plants.
For background, read an article in the April 1 edition of CRES
Clips:
http://cres-energy.org/clips/clips_08apr01ka.html
In April, High Country News published in Paonia, Colorado, reported
that plans for construction of almost half of the coal-fired power
plants on the drawing boards for the West from two years ago have
been cancelled or delayed. The trend started in 2006 in Idaho; see
an article published online by High Country News titled “Magic
Valley Uprising.”
http://www.hcn.org/servlets/hcn.Article?article_id=16262
Last year, the American Solar Energy Society published a blueprint
for how the Untied States could reduce carbon emissions. The plan
calls for a replacing conventional electricity generation from
fossil fuels with electricity generation from renewable energy
resources. Read the report titled “Tackling Climate Change in the
U.S.: Potential U.S. Carbon Emissions Reductions from Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency by 2030.”
http://www.ases.org/climatechange/
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