Climate and energy

Text from tonight’s State of the State address by Kansas Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius. (I’m racing the clock, here, the KU game will be on in 17 minutes.) Quotable – or, pretty much everything she said about energy – and please note the parts I put in bold:

As we assist businesses, workers and families with innovation in reforming our health care system, so too must we work together in meeting the unprecedented challenge of finding clean, affordable, and secure sources of energy to meet this nation’s growing demand.

We are at a moment in our country’s history similar to the moment nearly 100 years ago, when two innovative entrepreneurs, Clyde Cessna and Walter Beech, came to Kansas, joined a fledgling industry, and made history. Today, over 50% of the airplanes flown in the world are made in Kansas, and our economy, our state and the country has benefited from their vision and determination.

We can again lead an American transformation – lead America to energy security by tapping our fertile resources, our workers, and the ingenuity of Kansas entrepreneurs. We can – and we must – reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and increase our economic competitiveness by using our natural resources. Kansas is uniquely positioned to meet this challenge.

Our nation is in the midst of a bio-energy revolution that will fundamentally change the way we produce and consume energy. My budget recommends the creation of a Bioenergy Research Grant Program, to spur development of innovative new technologies producing the most cost-efficient renewable fuels.

Congress has recently set an aggressive goal for alternative fuel production by 2022. Kansas can and should be a leader in reaching America’s goal. I have charged the Kansas Bioscience Authority with developing an aggressive plan for bio-energy technology and production, aimed at producing 20 percent of the nation’s alternative fuel needs.

But our opportunity to find new and better sources of power doesn’t end with biofuels. Kansas is one of the best states in the nation for wind power. Until recently we had not even begun to harness this resource. Five years ago only one percent of our energy came from wind. Today, we are well on our way to meeting my goal of ten percent renewable energy by 2010 and twenty percent by 2020.

Construction of the state’s fourth wind farm is now complete and many more are in the planning stages. Sunflower Wind has announced that they will begin manufacturing wind turbines in Hutchinson, creating as many as 250 permanent jobs. These commitments, along with announcements of new transmission lines, and the recent decision of the Kansas Corporation Commission that wind production is a prudent investment, are having a positive impact.

To continue the momentum, I have created the Kansas Wind Working Group and appointed Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson as chair, to aggressively pursue our opportunities and incentives for wind power, as well as to encourage Kansas communities to invest in wind projects.

Finally, the cheapest and cleanest form of energy is energy we don’t use in the first place. Conservation and efficiency measures can extend our current energy capacity much farther into the future. With aggressive conservation efforts involving individuals, businesses and government, we can reduce our need for electricity, and still continue to grow.

We must embrace the Kansas Energy Council’s proposal to require that all new state buildings meet minimum energy efficiency standards. We challenge private developers and business owners to join us in that commitment.

Regulatory support for utility companies to educate and encourage conservation efforts for their customers is essential. I am also proposing standards that will provide for more Kansans to qualify for interest-free loans to improve the energy efficiency of their own homes.

By capitalizing on our state’s assets, we will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, boost our rural economy, and protect the environment for our children’s future. We need to join the 36 states that have begun or completed development of a comprehensive climate change action plan. It is clear the people of Kansas welcome an informed discussion about our energy future, economic opportunities, and the protection of our environment. We can rise to the challenges we face only if we commit ourselves to moving forward.

“Comprehensive climate change action plan” – woo hoo! Giant. That’s giant. Also will be interesting. A fair number of folks in the legislature are not convinced, shall we say, of the scientific evidence supporting climate change. The KPR analysis had a lot to say about this tension as well. Well, there probably won’t be many dull moments.

Opposition/ Republican response from House Speaker Melvin Neufeld (text from KC Star)- his comments on energy. Again, note my bold:

Kansas Republicans believe a strong state energy policy will truly make Kansas open for business and economic development.

Last fall, the governor’s administration denied the permit for an energy center and coal-plant in Holcomb.

The denial did not address the real issue –the need for a state energy policy that provides affordable electric rates today – addresses the disparity of rates paid by Kansas homeowners and businesses – and meets our growing energy demands in the future.

Kansas Republicans believe this can be accomplished with a policy that encourages adequate baseload energy, renewable energy, and energy conservation. It also must be based on sound scientific and economic analyses that carefully address costs and benefits.

Alternative energies like wind and solar power can play an important role in our state’s energy portfolio, but the simple fact is wind turbines and sunshine alone cannot meet our growing demand for electricity.

Our policy also must ensure our state laws and regulations are applied in a fair and uniform manner. Businesses wanting to build or expand in Kansas must know what is expected of them so they can build plants that meet our needs and requirements.

Together, I am confident we can establish a state energy policy that protects our environment, the security of our state’s energy future, Kansas ratepayers, and encourages economic growth.

KPR interpreted that bold section to mean that Neufeld is not prepared to accept the scientific findings regarding climate change. Which in turn has implications for his regulatory approach to creating a sound energy policy for Kansans. I unfortunately cannot find that audio file posted to the web – but try this link (and re-try it) to see if it will get you there eventually.

Game’s on! Gotta go!

— Maril Hazlett

Want to know more about climate and energy issues in the Midwest? Check out www.climateandenergy.org.