Yesterday House Speaker Melvin Neufeld announced that supporters of the 1,400 MW proposed expansion of the Sunflower Electric coal plants would not try for an override of the third vetoed coal bill on May 29, the last official day of the 2008 legislative session.
General reaction - mildly anticlimactic. To some extent, this seems to be because the energy (ha!) from the coal controversy has already refocused on the upcoming elections.
Everyone is looking ahead to who will be participating in the next round of the legislative conversation on energy policy. Filing deadlines for the Kansas primaries are June 10. There is no question at all that throughout the state, a comprehensive energy policy will be a key issue come November.
This morning I had promised to follow up with a selection of quotables from the news coverage. The following comes from the Hutch News, KCStar, and the Dodge Globe.
“Scheduling conflicts of a number of House and Senate members and circumstances beyond our control make it impossible to attempt an override of the Economic Stimulus bill” (the third coal bill). House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, voted for all three coal bills
“Sunflower is thankful for the efforts of the business, agriculture and labor organizations that supported the energy legislation that enables the development of sound energy policy and returns regulatory certainty to Kansas… The Legislature sent a clear message that current law does not allow the Secretary to use his emergency powers in the air permitting process. Since we firmly believe that the KDHE secretary’s decision was flawed, Sunflower will continue to pursue legal and administrative remedies.” - Earl Watkins, Sunflower Electric
“I fully expect Sunflower to come back next session.” Senator David Wysong, who “consistently voted against the project” and “said he received more ‘thank-yous’ from his northeast Johnson County constituents on the coal-fired plant issue than on any issue he’s voted on.”
“It will be a campaign issue in the eastern part of the state, primarily in the Johnson, Wyandotte and Leavenworth areas. Candidates in those areas are going to have to explain why they supported or opposed the proposal.” Senator John Vratil, voted for the first and second coal bills, voted against the third
“I am pleased that we can close this contentious chapter of our debate on energy and begin to work collaboratively on a comprehensive plan that provides the power needed to continue to grow our economy, while protecting our environment and maximizing our alternative energy potential.” Governor Sebelius, supporter of compromise proposal closer to 700 MW with mitigation and offsets
“I think what would be good news for the people of Kansas would be if Sunflower and the executive branch could sit down and start talking about real alternatives for meeting the baseload energy needs for western Kansas.” Representative Tom Holland, voted against all three coal bills
“I think the courts will probably rule in Sunflower’s favor, but the delay it will cause will cost consumers because the prices are going up on construction.” Senator Jay Emler, voted for all three coal bills
All well and good. Senators, representatives, the Governor, a CEO - great quotes. However, I was also interested to know what citizens thought.
— Maril Hazlett, www.climateandenergy.org
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