updated event information for Take Charge! CEP’s upcoming climate and energy panels
January 18, 2008
Updated event information is now available on CEP’s upcoming Take Charge! community forums in Salina, Overland Park, and Topeka (January 21, 22, and 23 respectively). Click thru to the press release on our home page for times, locations, and pdf fliers listing the names of panel members.
These panels are going to be so darn cool. The participating experts are listed below. CEP couldn’t be more delighted to have these folks participating:
Salina - Kansas Wesleyan University - Monday, January 21, 7-9 p.m.
Jim Ludwig, Westar Energy
Frank Costanza, Tradewind Energy
Carl Huslig, ITC Great Plains
David Schlissel, Synapse Energy
Wes Jackson, The Land Institute
Overland Park, JCCC - Tuesday, January 22, 7-9 p.m.
Bill Riggins, KCPL
Ezra Hausman, Synapse Energy
Mark Lawlor, Horizon
Kimberly Gencur, ITC Great Plains
Topeka, Washburn University - Wednesday, January 23, 7-9 p.m.
Jim Ludwig, Westar Energy
Johannes Feddema, IPCC Researcher
Mark Lawlor, Horizon Energy
Kimberly Gencur, ITC Great Plains
Want to know more about climate and energy in the Midwest? Check out www.climateandenergy.org.
coal special interest dollars (coming soon to a town or TV near you)
January 18, 2008
More on coal from today’s Washington Post - $35 million being spent on PR to build coal plants and fight climate change legislation. (I’ll reprint it in full below, because I have noted that the Post’s links often expire on me.)
Coal Industry Plugs Into the Campaign
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, January 18, 2008; Page D01
A group backed by the coal industry and its utility allies is waging a $35 million campaign in primary and caucus states to rally public support for coal-fired electricity and to fuel opposition to legislation that Congress is crafting to slow climate change.
The group, called Americans for Balanced Energy Choices, has spent $1.3 million on billboard, newspaper, television and radio ads in Iowa, Nevada and South Carolina.
One of its television ads shows a power cord being plugged into a lump of coal, which it calls “an American resource that will help us with vital energy security” and “the fuel that powers our way of life.” The ads note that half of U.S. electricity comes from coal-fired plants.
winding up the week
January 18, 2008
Big story on coal from the LA Times. A selection of quotables:
America’s headlong rush to tap its enormous coal reserves for electricity has slowed abruptly, with more than 50 proposed coal-fired power plants in 20 states canceled or delayed in 2007 because of concerns about climate change, construction costs and transportation problems…
The setbacks have energy regulators jittery about the prospects for meeting America’s ever-increasing hunger for electricity. They say that any delays in building new capacity — coal-fired or otherwise — add pressure to an already strained electricity infrastructure, raising the prospect of shortages or sharply higher prices….
A recent study by the industry-funded Electric Power Research Institute projects that coal power will cost more than nuclear power or natural gas by 2030 if coal’s carbon dioxide problem is solved the way most experts envision. Still unproven, that method involves separating carbon dioxide from the gas stream before it heads out of the stacks, collecting the vapors and then storing them underground. That would also require a new network of pipelines to move carbon dioxide from the power plant to a geologically sound site….
Another industry analysis predicts that wholesale electricity prices will rise 35% to 65% by 2015 if the Warner-Lieberman climate change bill — one of the more conservative plans put forward in the Senate — is enacted…..
A more immediate challenge is transportation, from missing links in the rail routes to silted-up Great Lakes shipping channels, which raise concerns that coal may not be so simple to get at after all. “Can coal deliver?” asked Gary Hunt, president of Global Energy Advisors, a Sacramento-based unit of Global Energy Decisions. “The answer is no,” he said — not without “billions and billions” spent on improvements for mining capacity, railroads and shipping….
Go ahead and read it all, don’t be at the mercy of my editing skills. There’s a lot more to the story that the parts I just clipped out. The overall article is good in that it takes a good overview of the coal power issue, beyond the will-the-plants-get-built-or-not perspective. (I’m as guilty of that limited view as anyone, I know.)
The piece sure could have stood to mention, though, how increasing our energy efficiency can help get some of our demand (our increasing demand, mind you) better under control.
Finally, a short video clip from our friends Down Under - the “black balloons” approach to envisioning how carbon dioxide emissions in our daily lives.
I completely blew out my right arm while playing Wii Tennis the other night. I doubt you’ll hear much more from me today 
typing is hard. everyone have a good weekend.
— Maril Hazlett
Want to know more about climate and energy in the Midwest? Check out www.climateandenergy.org.
soundenergypolicy.net website is registered to Sunflower Electric
January 17, 2008
Just up in DeSmogBlog - I will reprint here in its entirety:
Kansas coal kings have set up another front group to fight back against an October decision to block construction of two coal-fired electricity generators.
The Alliance for Sound Energy Policy advertises itself as “a statewide, non-partisan organization committed to balancing our growing energy needs with environmental stewardship.”
But there are no “environmental stewards” on its list of members, and its slick website is registered directly to Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, the failed proponent of the canceled power plants.
This is the second time that coal interests, including Sunflower, have launched an Astroturf group to fight the October decision. In early November 2007, a group calling itself “Kansans for Affordable Energy” ran a series of expensive and outrageous ads, suggesting that Kansas legislators were playing into the hands of people like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
But the Washington Post quickly discovered that the ads had been purchased by Sunflower and by coal giant Peabody Coal.
If you’d like to see the website registration for yourself, just go to this link: http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=soundenergypolicy.net.
Right now, as of 11:12 a.m. January 17, that site is registered to: Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, PO Box 1020, 301 West 13th St., Hays KS, 67601.
So if Sunflower owns and administers this site - what else connected with www.soundenergypolicy.net (the Alliance for Sound Energy Policy) do they run as well? To what extent are they dictating its entire agenda?
How can an organization with such a mammoth stake in current Kansas energy policy - in the midst of a brutally partisan-ized battle, where many Republican legislators firmly identify with Sunflower’s agenda, and see their main target as Democratic Governor Kathleen Sebelius and her adminstration’s decisions - credibly claim to be “a non-partisan organization”?
The exact relationships here call for further explanation and investigation. It’s important for the public - and for the legislators who serve us - to know what these connections are.
— Maril Hazlett
Want to learn more about climate and energy in the Midwest? Check out www.climateandenergy.org.
KDHE DID NOT CREATE REGULATORY UNCERTAINTY
January 17, 2008
BY NANCY JACKSON
reprinted from the Wichita Eagle, 1/17/2008
In Kansas energy debates, we have heard a lot lately about “regulatory uncertainty.” But what does that mean, exactly?
Sunflower Electric Power Corp. CEO Earl Watkins has asserted that regulatory uncertainty is bad for business (”Regulatory process needs to be certain, impartial,” Jan. 15 Opinion). So has Amy Blankenbiller, CEO of the Kansas Chamber. They are right. Businesses do need a set of clear and consistent rules.
Ironically enough, that is precisely why some of the nation’s leading corporations — and largest greenhouse gas emitters — are calling for carbon dioxide regulation.
As Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers said last year, when elected to chair the Edison Electric Institute, “I’ve seen several surveys that say 70 or 80 percent of the executives in our industry think there will be carbon regulation. In a sense, we’re all building our business plans around the carbon scenario. The only issue is what the regulations will look like and when they’ll be implemented.”
Duke and other corporate superstars — including Caterpillar, Deere & Co., Dow Chemical, General Electric and Shell — have formed the U.S. Climate Action Partnership. Together, they are working toward a cap-and-trade system that would, in effect, put a price on carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.
These Fortune 500 companies believe they can “slow, stop and reverse the growth of U.S. emissions while expanding the U.S. economy.” Presumably, they know a little something about economic success and regulatory certainty.
They also know that if you’re not at the table when the rules get set, you’re on the menu later. That is why they are actively working to shape carbon dioxide regulations. Kansas businesses should do the same.
Kansas Health and Environment Secretary Rod Bremby’s decision in October did not create regulatory uncertainty; it reflected regulatory uncertainty:
• As of July 2007, members of the 110th Congress had introduced more than 125 bills, resolutions and amendments specifically addressing global climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. Decisions made now under the specter of such regulations may be deemed imprudent under law and subject retroactively to penalty.
• In the past 18 months, proposals for 20 coal plants have stalled nationwide because of public concerns about air pollution, increases in greenhouse gases, rapidly climbing economic costs and future liability.
• Regional agreements between governors in the Northeast, West and, most recently, Midwest provide clear targets for emission reductions and allow for a cap-and-trade system that would put a price on carbon emissions.
Neither Bremby nor Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is “out front” on this issue. They are, in fact, arguably behind — 22 states already have climate action plans and another 14 are creating plans.
Regulatory certainty is needed, and in the wake of Bremby’s decision, Kansas has a historic opportunity to lead the nation in creating it. Let’s stop considering false choices between economic vitality and climate stability, and start talking instead about how we achieve both.
Nancy Jackson is executive director of the Climate and Energy Project at the Land Institute in Salina.
Want to know more about climate and energy issues in the Midwest? Check out www.climateandenergy.org.
creation care, climate change, conversations
January 15, 2008
Climate and energy conversations are popping up like - like? - hives? - like spring wildflowers, maybe, that sounds so much better! - all over the state.
Focus the Nation Roundtable to be held at KU on January 31, hosted by the Center for Sustainability and moderated by environmental journalist Simran Sethi. Panelists include state and local officials, including KS Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkison. Goal of the roundtable is to “engage the KU campus and Lawrence community in an open discussion on global climate change, its potential regional impacts, and possible solutions at all levels of government.” The more discussion, the better.
In a not entirely satisfactory review of a not entirely satisfactory book (NYTimes) - go ahead and read it if you have time to hack thru some academic speak - I nonetheless found a sentence I really liked: “Insecurity, (the authors) argue, is an emotional pillar of reactionary politics, not a building block for the sort of farsighted, progressive thinking that is required to prevent ecological disaster.”
A YouTube clip - CNN on the Regeneration Project and Rev. Sally Bingham:
— Maril Hazlett
Want to know more about climate and energy issues in the Midwest? Check out www.climateandenergy.org.
state of the state
January 14, 2008
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.
news update from the weekend.
January 14, 2008
News from this weekend was all about coal. Keep in mind, of course, that the energy issues facing Kansas are much broader than that… still, I know lots of people read this to find out more about coal - so, here you go! Enjoy. For now. I will broaden the scope later this week.
Editorial from the Wichita Eagle on how energy will/ could/ might play in the upcoming legislative session. A news report on same from the Salina Journal. More snippets on these issues woven into this story from the Hays Daily News. Kansas House Speaker Melvin Neufeld says he will not hold up the legislative session over coal plants (LJWorld). The Topeka Capita-Journal had a few words to say about the Kansas Energy Council’s role in all this.
The KC Star offered the following assessment of the coal drama:
FIRED UP OVER COAL
The issue: Republican fury over the Sebelius administration’s denial of two coal-fired plants in western Kansas could paralyze the legislative session.Our view: Granting the permit with very strict carbon dioxide emission standards would enable everyone to declare victory.
KCStar Primebuzz also noted that there is a new coalition backing the coal plant - lots of special interest money. Along those lines, here’s more on special interest dollars currently being spent on KS energy policy (Salina Journal/ Harris). And here’s another! (Hutch News). Quotable, from Kansas House Speaker Melvin Neufeld:
Most of his constituents, Neufeld said, “tell me I should come up here and put tire tracks over the governor.”
???
Hutch News also looked into the bioenergy center that Sunflower has been talking about as part of the proposed Holcomb plants (Hutch News). The center was not proposed as part of the original permit. The technology is under development by a private firm.
OK. Enough coal, huh? Coverage of the Governor’s State of the State Address begins at 7:00 tonight. KU plays Oklahoma soon thereafter. (Not that the two are remotely equivalent, of course.)
— Maril Hazlett
Want to know more about climate and energy issues in the Midwest? Check out www.climateandenergy.org.
