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On Thursday, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius denied the permits for two coal-fired power plants that were proposed to be built in western Kansas. Gov. Sebelius cited that coal would take the state in the wrong direction and the need to invest in renewable energy.
Here is a statement from Sebelius...
Kansas utility companies, including Sunflower Electric, have done a great job providing reliable energy to Kansans. What has become clear, however, is that Kansas must take advantage of renewable energy and conservation as we progress through this century.
These additional coal plants would have moved us in the wrong direction and far exceed the critical power needs for Kansas homes and businesses. In fact, eighty-five percent of the power proposed to be generated would be sold to customers, not in Kansas but in states like Colorado and Texas. These coal plants would have produced 11 million additional tons of carbon every year – 550 million tons of carbon over the lifetime of the project. Why should Kansans get one hundred percent of the pollution and threats to our health while only getting 15 percent of the energy? While there are some innovative technologies proposed as companions to these coal plants, none will significantly diminish the carbon impact of two new coal plants in our state.
Governor Culver has been a big supporter of renewable energy. He ran on a platform of making Iowa the renewable energy center of the world and his biggest achievement during his first year in office was the creation of the Iowa Power Fund that would invest in renewable energy throughout the state.
However, Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge have supported two coal-fired power plants that are being proposed in Waterloo and in Marshalltown. If these two plants are built the pollution from the coal plants would offset much of the gains Culver has made in renewable energy.
If Culver really wants to make Iowa a renewable energy center then he should follow Gov. Sebelius' lead and deny permits to these plants.
5 comments:
I may be mistaken, but I believe the City Development Board already shot down the proposed Waterloo plant (unlawful annexation).
I know some environmental groups are intervening with the Iowa Utilities Board to try to deny a permit to the Marshalltown plant.
Culver has an appointment to make to the IUB. We'll find out how serious he is about the environment when he makes that appointment.
By the way, I love Sebelius and would like to see her run for president someday.
desmoinesdem
You are correct that a state board declared the land for the proposed coal plant in Waterloo could not be annexed. It was a step backwards for the coal plant, but it doesn't mean the plans for the plant are over.
However, Culver has the ability to put a stop to the coal plants if he does something similar to what Gov. Sebelius did.
Why did you expect otherwise from Culver? Culver was the best Republican gubernatorial candidate Iowa's had in years!
Vilsack was much more conservative than Culver has been.
I agree with noneed--Vilsack's economic development program was little more than corporate welfare. Culver asked for a big increase in Main Street program funding in this first year--even though the legislature cut back his request, Main Street still ended up with $400,000 more in the budget.
desmoinesdem
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