Senator Brownback dismayed by Kansas coal veto


Substation Relay Protection Training

Our customized live online or in‑person group training can be delivered to your staff at your location.

  • Live Online
  • 12 hours Instructor-led
  • Group Training Available
Regular Price:
$699
Coupon Price:
$599
Reserve Your Seat Today
During a visit to Lawrence, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback said he had hoped construction of two coal-fired, 700-megawatt plants near Holcomb could have moved forward.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, vetoed a bill the Legislature passed that would have allowed for construction of the plants.

The issue has been a hot topic in the last two sessions, and Sebelius has now vetoed four bills related to the plants, saying they would be bad environmental policy.

Brownback said the project would "be a big economic driver for the state." The project would also allow for construction of power lines to the south and into Colorado, he said.

"That lets us plug our wind into it, and one of the biggest problems for our wind energy is getting it to market," Brownback said. "We've got to be able to get it to places and that gave you somebody paying for the power lines that you could hook it into."

The senator and likely GOP gubernatorial candidate in 2010 made the statement about the coal plant legislation during a visit to the Bowersock Mills and Power Co. on the Kansas River. Brownback, a member of the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee, is gathering information about renewable energy as the Senate considers energy legislation.

Republican Congressman Jerry Moran, who is running for Brownback's Senate seat in 2010, also criticized Sebelius' veto.

"I am deeply disappointed the governor vetoed legislation that would have authorized a facility that proposed to use cutting-edge technology to reduce carbon emissions and would have been one of the most environmentally sound and efficient coal-fired plants in the country," Moran said in a statement. “Failure to allow Sunflower Electric’s proposal to move forward will likely lead to an increase in electricity costs."

Sebelius, President Barack Obama's choice to be secretary of Health and Human Services, said it appeared federal legislation would penalize new carbon emissions.

"I vetoed that legislation because while the rest of the country was trying to reduce greenhouse emissions, Kansas would be creating massive new emissions for power we donÂ’t need," she said.

Related News

Iran Says Deals to Rehabilitate, Develop Iraq Power Grid Finalized

Iran-Iraq Power Grid Deals reinforce electricity and natural gas ties, upgrading transmission in Karbala and…
View more

Stellat'en and Innergex Sign Wind Deal with BC Hydro

Nithi Mountain Wind Project delivers 200 MW of renewable wind power in British Columbia under…
View more

Typical Ontario electricity bill set to increase nearly 2% as fixed pricing ends

Ontario Electricity Rates update: OEB sets time-of-use and tiered pricing for residential customers, with kWh…
View more

Experts Advise Against Cutting Quebec's Energy Exports Amid U.S. Tariff War

Quebec Hydropower Export Retaliation examines using electricity exports to counter U.S. tariffs amid Canada-U.S. trade…
View more

New bill would close loophole that left hundreds of Kentucky miners with cold checks

Kentucky Coal Wage Protection Bill strengthens performance bond enforcement, links Energy and Environment Cabinet and…
View more

State-owned electricity generation firm could save Britons nearly 21bn a year?

Great British Energy could cut UK electricity costs via public ownership, investing in clean energy…
View more

Sign Up for Electricity Forum’s Newsletter

Stay informed with our FREE Newsletter — get the latest news, breakthrough technologies, and expert insights, delivered straight to your inbox.

Electricity Today T&D Magazine Subscribe for FREE

Stay informed with the latest T&D policies and technologies.
  • Timely insights from industry experts
  • Practical solutions T&D engineers
  • Free access to every issue

Live Online & In-person Group Training

Advantages To Instructor-Led Training – Instructor-Led Course, Customized Training, Multiple Locations, Economical, CEU Credits, Course Discounts.

Request For Quotation

Whether you would prefer Live Online or In-Person instruction, our electrical training courses can be tailored to meet your company's specific requirements and delivered to your employees in one location or at various locations.