After a thorough review of the proposal, using the standards that have been applied to every previous application for similar projects, the professional staff of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment approved the Sunflower project. However, Department Secretary Ron Brembry, an recent appointee of Governor Sebelius at the time, ignored the recommendation and denied the permit.

In response to public outcry, the legislature has worked to not only overturn the ruling, but more importantly provide a substantive and comprehensive energy policy for our future. After reviewing the facts of the matter and reading the details of the bill, which represent two years of bi-partisan study, I stand in support of the compromise reached in 2009.

It’s important to note that while this legislation will allow the Sunflower plant to be built, the ultimate purpose of the bill is to create a comprehensive energy policy and establish clear rules and regulation for prospective companies and current business to build their individual business models around.

Without this, every business operating in Kansas—not only energy production facilities—are subject to unilateral mandate by an individual government official. This is simply poor public policy. We live in a representative democracy in which our citizens and their representatives deserve to hold the right to craft sound public policy. With legislators from all 105 Kansas counties voting yes on the issue, the will of our citizens seems clear in this instance.

The few opponents of the bill argue the proposal creates pollution while shipping a portion of the power to other states, that federal legislation will ultimately determine our emissions regulations, and that we will be able to solve our energy shortages through the use of wind energy and other renewable resources. I believe the compromise addressed each of these issues and represents a national trend-setting stance on energy production in America.

In reality, businesses in the manufacturing, transportation, and farming industries create the same by-products produced by the Holcomb energy plant, carbon dioxide. These companies ship their products throughout the country. We commonly accept this basic commercial principle and understand that while we’re all striving to decrease any amount of pollution we create as a nation, the reality is that emissions are a part of doing business. Energy is no different than any other tangible export. I simply do not feel new production should be regulated differently than other businesses or existing energy production facilities.

By adopting a comprehensive energy proposal we create uniformity. If the KDHE feels emissions are too high, all energy production facilities or businesses creating the targeted emissions must be subject to the same rules. It’s simply unfair to punish what would be one of the cleanest plants in the world, only because the application was submitted at a politically opportune time.

Furthermore, the threat of federal legislation must be the concern of applicants and their stakeholders—not the legislature. We must focus on the best policies for Kansas regardless of decisions in Washington.

House Bill 2014 enthusiastically embraces renewable technology, providing the resources to construct transmission lines—enabling an explosion of wind generation. If the transmission lines to support the project are not built, any effort to increase wind production throughout the state or sell to larger markets is simply not economically feasible. For those committed to increased wind production in Kansas, the bill is of critical importance—and includes a number of “green” incentives for energy producers and businesses.

Its passage provides us with one of the most progressive energy proposals in the nation. Unless federal mandates ultimately derail the project our state will be home to one of the cleanest plants not only in America, but the entire globe. I sincerely hope our leaders in Washington understand the importance of this project and those similar to it. Our energy issues will not be resolved overnight—but this is an excellent first step and a perfect example to set for the rest of the nation

If we are serious about cutting Kansas emissions, let’s look at our existing plants and find ways to help them operate more efficiently. Just as we would not ask hybrid car engineers to scrap proposals for any cars burning traditional fossil fuels, it’s irresponsible to tell companies leading the clean coal technology charge they are harming the state.

The passage of our energy bill is the best choice for Kansans, which is why I proudly support HB 2014 and the pragmatic, comprehensive vision it represents. While we all work to find the ultimate solutions to our energy crisis I hope other states—and we as individuals—look to the work done here as a blueprint for a reasonable approach to environmental reform throughout the world.

Rep. Arlen Siegfreid
Speaker Pro Tem

Rep. Siegfreid represents the 15th District which includes parts of the city of Olathe and Olathe Township in Johnson County. He has served in the legislature since 2003 and in addition to serving as Speaker Pro Tem, serves on the Tax and Health and Human Services committees.