9/28/2007

By SARAH KESSINGER

Harris News Service

TOPEKA -- House Speaker Melvin Neufeld says climate change is good for the Kansas economy.

Garden City Rep. Jeff Whitham isn't convinced climate change is a problem.

Dodge City Rep. Pat George says economic development is too important to nix two, new, coal-fired, power plants in his part of the state.

They are among Kansas House GOP members pushing back this week against Democratic Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who has gradually begun to object to the prospect of new coal-burning electric plants in the state.

The 40 lawmakers on Wednesday sent a letter to Rod Bremby, Sebelius' secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, calling for approval of two permits for a pair of 700-megawatt plants at the Sunflower Electric power station near Holcomb.

'About survival'

Yet several Kansans at a state energy conference in Topeka this week said just the opposite, expressing dismay at those who deny humans' role in global warming.

It's an issue they worry will become irreversible for the planet within a few decades.

Pretty Prairie Mayor Curt Miller said, "It's about the survival of mankind.

"I think it is an immediate issue. If we don't do something now, we'll pass the point of no return. It's too bad the present administration is just now getting on board."

South Hutchinson Public Works Director Paul Hiebert added, "The sooner we get started doing something about it the better. If we don't, we're not going to have anything left for our grandchildren."

His comments echoed those of keynote speaker Wes Jackson, president of The Land Institute in Salina, who said people still lack a "sense of emergency" about the climate change crisis.

Jackson admonished the crowd at the conference, "Look at the numbers, but more importantly, look at your grandchildren."

Wind, geothermal, solar

A good start to addressing the atmospheric massing of heat-trapping gases, Hiebert said, is a switch to more renewable energy. He and other city officials were at the conference to learn of potential for local wind farms.

Some 25 to 30 potential wind developers are exploring possible locations in Kansas right now, said Kansas Wildlife and Parks ecologist Eric Johnson, who helps them with environmental siting guidelines.

The state has three large wind farms operating and another one under construction.

Johnson said Kansans should keep options open for a variety of power sources, including geothermal and solar.

Climate change, he said, "will take a long time to reverse."

Climate change welcome

But House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, who signed the letter favoring new coal plants, said climate change always occurs and is beneficial to Kansas' economy.

A one-degree change in temperature over the past century has made it better for crops such as cotton and cattle ranching, he said.

"We're raising better crops. Our farm economy is better. Our cattle are better off than they were 100 years ago."

And the new plants' projected carbon output isn't a concern, Neufeld said, saying corn fields would absorb the estimated 10 million to 14 million tons of CO2 emissions a year.

"We raise more corn out there to more than offset whatever that plant can put out."

But widely accepted research shows the atmosphere is already overloaded with carbon, that vegetation isn't able to remove current levels let alone keep up with new emissions.

"There's just no getting around the fact Sunflower's Holcomb expansion will add significantly to the existing reservoir of heat-trapping gases that are causing global warming," said a Sierra Club report on the issue last year.

As for what has caused the temperature to change, Neufeld said "I don't think anybody can definitively say.

"Global warming? Maybe, maybe not. But certainly climate change is a benefit."

Something in our brains?

Earlier in the week, The Land Institute's Jackson questioned the audience at the energy conference as to why denial perseveres on the issue of a warming planet.

"Is there something about the nature of our brain?" he asked.

Jackson cited studies showing that "once an idea is in there, it can be hard to get out."

Wayne Penrod, Sunflower Electric's senior manager for environment, said he'd be speculating if he weighed in on whether global warming is an immediate concern.

"I'm not a meteorologist or a climatologist. There are all kinds of things that contribute to the perception of global warming."

Democratic Rep. Vaughn Flora has had little luck in drawing legislators' interest to his attempts at placing a moratorium on new coal-fired plants.

He doesn't think the governor has the power to stop it.

"She can use the bully pulpit but can't really control it, beyond that."

Others would disagree, including plaintiffs Sarah and Roy Dean who filed a lawsuit earlier this year seeking to get state regulators to limit carbon emissions. The case is pending.

'Day of waking up'

Pretty Prairie Mayor Miller said he hopes it's not too late.

"I think most ordinary people don't pay attention until it actually affects them," he said. "Let's hope that day of waking up isn't too far in the future."

But Whitham of Garden City said he expects new coal-burning plants' emission controls would be fine.

He's not worried that there are no controls on carbon dioxide. And he's doubtful of the mounting evidence that man-made carbon dioxide is a key contributor to global warming, despite its regular documentation in scientific studies and publications, such as this month's National Geographic.

"I'm not convinced CO2 is causing climate change," Whitham said.

"We've been through so many climate changes, over thousands of years. This is apparently one more warming."

A year ago, Whitham said, Sebelius sat down with him and other Finney County leaders and assured them she wouldn't stand in the way of Sunflower's expansion.

Recently, however, the governor has said she personally opposes new coal-fired plants.

"Obviously, she's rethought her position," he said.

Rep. George, Dodge City, said he's concerned about global warming, because "this is where we live with our kids."

However, "I don't want this portrayed as a money-grab, but you look at the investment they're willing to put into western Kansas," George said. "I think it will be the most efficient and environmentally friendly (coal-fired) plant in the world."

Is there a need for regulation in light of climate change?

"The reality is, the public's not ready for that."