Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius yesterday again vetoed a bill that would allow construction of two coal-fired power plants in the state.
It is the fourth time she has rejected such a bill in the past two
years. State legislators who wish to allow Sunflower Electric Power
Corp to build the two plants have successfully overridden vetos in the
state Senate, but not in the House. They are likely to try again when
they return from recess in two weeks.
"Last year, I vetoed legislation that forced the Secretary of the
Kansas Department of Health and Environment to issue air quality
permits for two new coal fired plants which would produce 11 million
tons of carbon dioxide each year," the governor said in a statement.
"These new plants would generate 1400 megawatts of electricity,
most of which would be exported to Colorado and Texas," she said. "In
fact, Kansas would only get 200 megawatts of electricity, while we
would get all of the new pollution.
In 2007 Kansas became the first state in the country to reject permits
for coal-fired power plants, stating health and environmental risks
associated with greenhouse gas emissions.
"Kansas needs legislation that will increase development of our
renewable energy resources, increase energy efficiency measures and
create good-paying jobs," the governor said. "Once again, as the rest
of the country moves toward a renewable energy future, the legislature
is intent on darkening Kansas’ energy future with new coal plants that
will provide energy we don’t yet need."
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