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By SARAH KESSINGER
Harris News Service
TOPEKA -- While it appeals for a permit to build coal-fired power plants in Kansas, Sunflower Electric also is looking to a controversial plant proposal in Missouri as a potential source for future power.
The Hays-based utility considers the plant near Norborne, Mo., proposed by Associated Electric Power Cooperative, as another option if the Kansas Supreme Court doesn't allow it to build two new 700-megawatt generators in southwest Kansas.
"We've simply filed for a transmission service request between our area and the Associated Electric area in Missouri," said Steve Miller, Sunflower spokesman.
The request was filed in November with the Southwest Power Pool, a regulatory agency that oversees transmission in several states including Kansas.
Environmentalists say Sunflower is searching outside the state for coal-fired power rather than investing in more wind farms that create job opportunities, property taxes and clean energy for local communities.
"So much for economic development in western Kansas," said Bruce Nilles, director of the Sierra Club's National Coal Campaign.
Sunflower has promoted the building of two new coal plants near Holcomb as a significant economic coup for the state's western counties. Much of the power would be exported to other states, but the project was estimated to be worth $3.6 billion to the region's economy.
A state regulator denied the plants' permit in October, noting the additional tons of constantly burning coal would emit high levels of carbon dioxide.
Most scientists agree coal-fired electric plant emissions are among the top contributors to global climate change.
Sunflower responded to the permit denial by filing suit along with its partner in the project, Tri-State Electric Generation and Transmission of Colorado. The state Supreme Court has agreed to take up the case, although a hearing date hasn't yet been set.
Miller said the company remains "firmly entrenched in our belief that coal is the right thing to do for baseload power."
But, he added, "We have to have a plan in case our project somehow doesn't succeed."
The Norborne plant only is a consideration at this point, Miller said.
"We've not entered into any contractual agreements. We're making sure we've got all our bases covered, and we're keeping an eye on all areas with a power supply," he said. "We have to see whether we can afford the cost of transmission service there."
Sunflower projects customer demand will continue growing and considers coal a cheaper option than seeking another constant source, such as nuclear power or natural gas to generate electricity. Wind is considered an intermittent source that must be accompanied by a "baseload" of constant energy.
Nationwide, however, a number of coal plants are being shelved by utilities who say there is a growing likelihood Congress will add a carbon tax to coal, raising its price.
The proposed Norborne plant, located about 60 miles east of Kansas City, is supported by local officials for its economic development potential. But it's also facing opposition from environmentalists and other residents who say the company should turn to alternative energy.
The debate is similar to what Sunflower's proposal faces in Kansas. A decision from state regulators on the Missouri facility is expected soon.
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