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Published 6/24/2009 in Commentary : Editorial
Even after a deal that turned out to be a reasonable compromise, environmentalists in Kansas aren't giving up.
With an agreement clearing the way for expansion of the Sunflower Electric Power Corp. facility at Holcomb, the Sierra Club now wants the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to hold more public hearings on the plan.
But haven't we already been down that road?
In the run-up to a KDHE decision on an air-quality permit needed for the Sunflower expansion, a number of public hearings throughout Kansas gave citizens an opportunity to weigh in. They also were encouraged to submit opinions in writing.
And they did, to the point that the state surely knows the gist of opposing viewpoints in this divisive issue.
Simply put, on one side are those who believe the state must block any Sunflower expansion because of new carbon dioxide emissions linked to global warming. On the other side are supporters of clean-burning coal technology that provides power needed to meet baseload demand.
The Sierra Club thought it had prevailed in 2007 when KDHE Secretary Rod Bremby denied an air-quality permit for two Sunflower plants due to concern over CO2 emissions.
But after wrangling over the issue tied up consecutive legislative sessions, Gov. Mark Parkinson finally helped craft a palatable solution: Sunflower, which had planned two 700-megawatt plants, would be allowed to build one 895-megawatt unit.
The settlement also included a renewable energy standard requiring Kansas utilities to generate 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2020. All in all, a decent compromise.
But the Sierra Club now insists on having a say this time around, even though its stand — total opposition to any expansion of Sunflower's coal-burning facility — already is known.
While it's always good to seek public input, this particular issue has been thoroughly vetted. The public is tired of it and ready to move on.
It's time to instead focus on building an energy portfolio that works for Kansas, including exciting plans to expand renewable energy resources.
Continual bickering over the Sunflower plant won't get us any closer to that important goal.
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