Green Week panel discusses future of Kansas energy

Chang Liu / The Bulletin

Brad Loveless speaks about coal-powered energy on Tuesday in the Kanza Room. Loveless, of Westar Energy, was a member of the Green Week discussion panel.

Coal powered energy, specifically the Holcomb bill, was the primary focus of a Green Week panel on Kansas energy Tuesday. featured a variety of individuals in the energy field.

Discussion was lead by a series of previously submitted questions that were posed to various members of the panel. The panel was part of the Emporia State Young Democrats and the Environmental Club’s Green Week. Panel members included lieutenant governor Mark Parkinson, Ray Hammerland of the Kansas Corporation Commission, Brad Loveless of Westar Energy, Joe Spease of the Kansas Sierra Club and Chris Cardinal of the Great Plains Alliance for Clean Energy.

The Holcomb bill, known in the senate as Bill 327, is named for the town of Holcomb in which Sunflower Energy has plans to build three new boilers in the existing plant in Holcomb. The bill was vetoed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius and is now facing action on the Kansas senate floor in an attempt to overturn the veto. Proponents of the bill cite the overall economic stimulus the construction of such plants would have on the state.

Tuesday’s panel remained skeptical of such benefits, however, calling the proposed economic cost “inaccurate.” The panel members said that, while the Holcomb area would experience an initial boost in the economy, it would not be sustainable. After the construction of the plant is completed, the work force at the plant would only be between 109-149 workers.

The plant’s overall budget was also a point of concern for the panel. Sunflower Energy’s original estimate of 3.6 billion dollars is now 19 months old and costs have increased by at least 25 percent, according to Mark Parkinson, lieutenant governor for Kansas and one of the panel members. The rising costs of the plant have led some to wonder where the cost will end up.

“Who will pay?” Parkinson said. “The cost may be passed onto the consumers. We are fighting a machine. We are fighting the best that we can for the people of Kansas.”

The costs of coal energy were also addressed. Environmental concerns mentioned by the panel included the loss and damage to wildlife as well as dangerous side effects of polluted resources.

According to panel members, nearly every state has had to issue a warning to pregnant women regarding mercury deposits in fresh water sources at some point. Mercury can cause damage to fetuses as well as damage in brain development. The removal of the chemicals from the water sources could cost the state nearly 2 billion dollars.

Joe Spease, a chapter representative for Kansas Sierra Club and panel member, also discussed some of the larger human health concerns of coal based energy. Side effects from the sulfur dioxide, ash collections and carbon dioxide by-products associated with coal energy can lead to heart and respiratory disease.

“We need to publicize the effects a little better,” Spease said. “There is no ‘clean coal.’”

In addition to harmful chemical deposits left by the plant, it is estimated that the plant uses up to eight billion gallons of water.

Kansas’ position in the field of alternative energy sources was also addressed by the panel. Wind energy was specifically cited as a powerful resource for the Flint Hills region, as was the production of crops for bio-fuels. The electric car was noted for its ability to run efficiently and inexpensively.

“We need to develop alternative engines for vehicles,” Parkinson said. “Last year Americans spent 5 billion dollars on Halloween costumes, candy and decorations. The government spent 2.5 billion dollars on developing new engines. We need to readjust those priorities. We are extremely close. That technology is right around the corner. Once we have that we will have cracked the oil issue.”

Chris Cardinal, an organizer for the Great Plains Alliance for Clean Energy, cited a need to consider a variety of alternatives.

“There is no silver bullet,” Cardinal said. “There is no one answer. There must be a combination of options. We need to have an open, honest discussion. That drives smart economics and smart government.”

Parkinson stressed the need for those concerned about the possibility of coal based energy to contact their representatives in the Kansas Senate. The Holcomb bill will face action in the Senate next week in a vote that, at last count by Parkinson, was only one vote from being overturned. Should the veto not be overturned, Parkinson does not anticipate those involved with the plant to go quietly and said that he expects a lawsuit. He emphasized the need for action from citizens.

“Every Earth Day is the same,” Parkinson said. “This year we need to make Earth Day more than just a photo opportunity. Experts should be in charge of approving plants, not legislators.”