Climate and energy

Reprinted in full from press release:

EARTHJUSTICE * SIERRA CLUB

For Immediate Release: October 28, 2008
Contacts
Bob Eye, Attorney, Sierra Club, 785.267.6115
Nick Persampieri, Attorney, Earthjustice 303.358.5284
Stephanie Cole, Sierra Club, 913.906.9332

Conservation Groups Challenge Sunflower in Hearing Over Coal Plant Denial

Topeka , KS – A year after the Kansas Department of Health and Environment denied a permit to Sunflower Electric for a massive coal plant expansion, Earthjustice and Sierra Club are renewing their defense of the landmark decision.

Today, the groups filed supporting briefs with the Kansas Office of Administrative Hearings, which is conducting a hearing to determine if KDHE should make final its denial of the plant expansion’s air quality permit. Sunflower requested the hearing.

Last October, KDHE Secretary Rod Bremby blocked issuance of the permit to prevent immense outputs of carbon dioxide – a large contributor to global warming. The Legislature passed multiple bills that would have overturned the permit denial, but all were vetoed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

“Sunflower’s proposed expansion is economically and environmentally hazardous to Kansans. In return for a few permanent jobs, the plant will produce millions of tons of air pollutants each year. By contrast, Kansas can enjoy a robust, clean economy by turning to its abundant wind energy resources. Coal just doesn’t make sense,” said Nick Persampieri, attorney for Earthjustice, which is representing Sierra Club.

Earthjustice and Sierra Club point to overwhelming evidence that link carbon dioxide emissions to global warming. Dr. James Hansen, director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, has warned the only way to curb the dangerous threats of global warming is to reduce coal burning until carbon dioxide emissions can be controlled.

Kansas is well-positioned to take advantage of its vast wind resources. With continued reliance on coal and progression of climate change, Kansas will experience temperature increases. These changes will increase the state’s need for water and Western Kansas will become warmer and drier with decreased soil moisture, according to Dr. Johannes Feddema of the University of Kansas and a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“With our economy, health, and environmental future on the line, it is imperative that Kansas make good use of its wind energy potential. If we continue to doubt and debate science, we risk losing economic opportunities to states with far less wind resources,” said Stephanie Cole of the Sierra Club.

In its brief, Earthjustice illustrates the risks associated with coal-fired power plants. “It’s recognized that carbon dioxide will be regulated in the near future. With this knowledge, it is irresponsible to subject Kansas ratepayers to unnecessary rate spikes when there are safer alternatives,” said Persampieri.

Both the Sierra Club and Earthjustice are campaigning nationwide against polluting coal-fired power generation.

The Sierra Club’s National Coal Campaign is working to ensure coal is mined responsibly, burned cleanly, and does not increase global warming levels. Across the country the campaign is fighting to stop the construction of new coal plants and direct the proposed investments into energy efficiency, renewable resources, and other clean alternatives. Earthjustice is fighting any expansion of coal-fired power generation and is challenging destructive coal-mining practices, such as mountain-top removal in Appalachia .

###