State News

By Chris Green

A new report funded by an environmental group argued Monday that President-elect Barack Obama's victory last week signals another strike against the construction of two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.

Innovest Strategic Value Advisors, a Wall Street financial research firm, concluded that a troubled economy and the increased likelihood of limits on carbon dioxide emissions during an Obama administration could make the plants an unnecessary financial risk.

By James Carlson

Rising carbon dioxide emissions will increase temperatures, intensify storms and dry out farm land in Kansas over the next 90 years, two scientists from The University of Kansas said in a report released Tuesday.

The researchers steered clear of direct policy positions but said the findings of climate change's effects on Kansas should prompt action.
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By DUSTIN BLEIZEFFER
Star-Tribune energy reporter

Under the type of greenhouse gas regulations favored by president-elect Barack Obama, Tri-State's proposed 700-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Kansas could cost rate-payers an additional $217 million annually in emission credits, according to a financial report released Monday.

Thousands of those ratepayers are among Tri-State's seven member rural electric cooperatives in Wyoming.

The proposed two new coal-fired power plants near Holcomb have not been the fall campaign issue they were expected to be, thank goodness. But voters should be wary of the plants' mention all the same, especially in the same breath with the term "regulatory uncertainty."

By Chris Green

Harris News Service

<!--P1-->TOPEKA -- The state's approach to reducing its carbon dioxide emissions remains a work in progress following last year's unprecedented decision to deny air-quality permits for two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.<!--P2-->

A year after the ruling by the state's top environmental regulator, the state still lacks written guidelines that require firms to report their CO2 emissions or establish what levels of the greenhouse gas could be considered harmful.

BY GOV. KATHLEEN SEBELIUS

By GAYLE WEBER

gweber@dailynews.net

One remaining question with the county's zoning regulations is whether a comprehensive plan will be implemented.

However, Glenn Diehl, Republican candidate for the Ellis County Commission District 2 seat, doesn't think the existing zoning regulations will work without the plan.

"We wouldn't have the problems we have now if we had a comprehensive plan," Diehl said.

Issue of Holcomb power plant expected to be revisited in Legislature

By James Carlson

The state is facing budget shortfalls and the need to craft a new 10-year transportation plan, but a famous issue (or infamous issue, depending on your political persuasion) could show up in the Statehouse again this year — the Holcomb power plant.

The cheapest way for Westar Electric to add new generating capacity is with wind, a corporate executive told members of the Salina Rotary Monday.

“Wind does have a place in anybody’s portfolio,” said Greg Greenwood. “If customers’ demand for electricity continues to grow, we’re going to need new resources.”

During the debates earlier this year over the proposal for two new coal-fired power plants in Holcomb the claim was frequently made that Kansas needs new, inexpensive coal-generated power.