Energy issues in Kansas are actually much broader than the narrowly focused debate over Sunflower Electric’s proposed coal plants in Holcomb. One example is the largely untold – and more positive – story of the KCPL energy efficiency bill (as it seems to be known around the Capitol). Basically, the bill is about about using energy more wisely, instead of building additional new generation facilities.
This legislation stands a good chance of making it into law this session. However, it’s been a long strange trip – and it ain’t over yet. The bill started out as HB 2632, but at last tally, some version of its language appeared in at least four other different bills (or “vehicles”):
SB 586 – HB 2632 language was added to nuclear power bill allowing utilities to recover “prudent costs” of developing nuclear power. (See bill, supplemental note, and fiscal note). Passed by House and Senate and will go to conference committee. After committee, returns to House and Senate floors for votes to concur or non-concur – no amendments can be added at that time.
SB 580 – Language was added to weatherization bill. Passed by House and Senate and will go to conference committee. After committee, returns to House and Senate floors for votes to concur or non-concur – no amendments can be added at that time.
HB 2632 – Original bill, now has an air permit amendment (see below). (See amended bill, plus supplemental note and fiscal note.) At this moment, doubtful this version will go any further.
SB 327 – Was added to the first Holcomb bill in conference committee, as attempt to green the initiative. Vetoed by the Governor, now awaiting override vote to start in Senate and move to House.
SB 148 – Was included in the second Holcomb bill as part of the original SB 327 (new provisions were added to second Holcomb bill, nothing was taken out). Was sent to blessed committee on Thursday to avoid dropping dead in face of procedural deadlines. Will probably be back in General Orders for the House to consider on Monday.
Pretty wild list – but hey, that’s democracy. More of the twists and turns will emerge as the story unfolds below, but generally:
Why does energy efficiency matter? What’s in the KCPL language – how does it help achieve these goals, and what are some other suggested options? How did one bill get so complicated (although that’s actually not so unusual), and how did it get tangled up in the Holcomb issue along the way?
To find out the answers, read on.
Below, Dr. Ted Scambos of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Lead Scientist at National Snow and Ice Data Center, explains the significance of the recent ice shelf collapse in western Antartica (also read about it in the British Antarctic Survey’s press release).
The footage is pretty dramatic, but an eyewitness account helps capture the sheer scale of the break-up:
Jim Elliott was onboard the BAS Twin Otter to capture video of the breakout for Vaughan and colleagues. He says,
“I’ve never seen anything like this before – it was awesome. We flew along the main crack and observed the sheer scale of movement from the breakage. Big hefty chunks of ice, the size of small houses, look as though they’ve been thrown around like rubble – it’s like an explosion.”
The breakout is the latest drama in a region of Antarctica that has experienced unprecedented warming over the last 50 years. Several ice shelves have retreated in the past 30 years – six of them collapsing completely (Prince Gustav Channel, Larsen Inlet, Larsen A, Larsen B, Wordie, Muller and the Jones Ice Shelf.)
— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org
