By DAVID KLEPPER

McClatchy-Tribune News Service

TOPEKA -- For years, environmentalists have asked Kansas lawmakers to require power companies to use wind-generated energy.

Lawmakers again balked in the legislative session that ended this month, though they took small steps toward encouraging renewable energy and energy efficiency.

But as long as the wind blows, environmental groups vow to keep trying. They say they're frustrated lawmakers aren't doing more as energy prices go up and the public talks more about carbon emissions and renewable energy.

"It was less than satisfactory, let's put it that way," Sierra Club lobbyist Tom Thompson said of the recently concluded session. "There was a lot of talk of doing things. But when you come right down to it, what were the bills that passed?"

Lawmakers point to a variety of legislation designed to encourage energy efficiency, renewable energies such as biofuels and wind, and even small steps to curb carbon emissions.

"We need to give incentives, not mandates," said Rep. Rob Olson, an Olathe Republican and vice chairman of the House Energy and Utilities Committee.

"We've taken some measures to get us to the next step."

Thanks to legislation passed this year, home buyers will receive more information on a home's energy efficiency; new transmission lines will be built that could help wind energy efforts; and more state vehicles will use ethanol.

Lawmakers also passed tax breaks to encourage nuclear energy, biofuel production and the storing of carbon emissions underground.

The list of accomplishments isn't enough for Joe Spease, president of Pristine Power, a renewable energy firm located in Lenexa. Spease has lobbied lawmakers for years to do more with renewable energy.

"These were teeny tiny baby steps," he said of the Legislature's progress.

Other energy-related legislation failed, including a bill to give tax credits to rental property owners who install energy-efficient insulation and air conditioning and heating systems. A bill designed to block construction of a planned western Kansas coal plant stalled.

Especially disappointing to Spease and groups like the Sierra Club was the failure of legislation requiring power companies to use wind power to generate a percentage of their energy.

But lawmakers who work on energy bills say they're reluctant to give mandates to power companies. They would rather encourage renewable energy and conservation, they say, than tell companies what to do.

"You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar," said Sen. Jay Emler, a Lindsborg Republican and chairman of the Senate Committee on Utilities. "I always see mandates as being vinegar-ish."

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius earlier this year set a goal of using renewable energy to generate 10 percent of the state's electricity by 2010. Now, wind generates about 3.5 percent. Westar Energy agreed to meet Sebelius' challenge by announcing plans for new wind farms.

Sebelius said cooperative effort and the legislation passed are a start toward making Kansas more energy independent.

"Kansas has the potential to be a real leader when it comes to wind power, biofuels and efficiency, and the steps we've taken this year will help us move away from fossil fuels," she said in a statement released at the end of the session.