By DUANE SCHRAG

Salina Journal

A statewide poll in late November found that an overwhelming majority of Kansans support the state's decision to deny permits needed to build two new coal-fired power plants in Holcomb.

The decision has been sharply criticized by legislators from western Kansas and promises to draw retribution in the upcoming legislative session.

But according to the poll, which was done by Cooper and Secrest Associates of Washington, D.C., the number of Kansans whgo support the decision last October by Rod Bremby, secretary of the Kansas Department of Health Environment, is twice that of those who oppose. The survey was done for the Climate and Energy Project of the Salina-based Land Institute.

Results of the poll were announced Thursday morning.

The poll found that in the 1st Congressional District, which blankets western Kansas, a majority supports the state's decision: 51 percent in favor, 40 percent opposed, and 9 percent undecided.

Nearly half the respondents -- 48 percent -- agreed that energy use is not just an economic issue but a moral one as well.

The telephone survey was conducted Nov. 19-20 and 25-26. Results were derived from 1,007 responses, of which 400 came from the 1st Congressional District.

n Reporter Duane Schrag can be reached at 822-1422 or by e-mail at dschrag@salina.com.

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