Kansas and coal: it's really all about Colorado

Summary: Kansas politicians continue to disagree over two coal-burning plants planned for western Kansas. The state administration refused to grant the necessary permits.

Kansas politicians continue to disagree over two coal-burning plants planned for western Kansas. The state administration refused to grant the necessary permits. Now pro-coal legislators are trying to get a law passed to allow construction. Turns out the plants are being built in Kansas, but will send most of their power to Colorado.

Huh? Well. Colorado has much stricter regulations on air pollution. So it once looked like Kansas would be the easier place to place the plants. Oops.

It's not clear the legislature can come up with a new law that the governor would sign. It was her administration that rejected the permits ansd set off the Kansas Koal War of '08.

Topics: CXO, IT Employment

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  • Keep the power

    They should keep the power in Kansas or just not build the plants. My home in Colorado is entirely solar and wind for electricity. Sending all that power to our state will just encourage the building of additional inefficient homes causing more traffic and pollution. If someone wants a home here, let them invest in alternative power!
    mlindow
    • keep the power

      This is a pair of utility companies thinking their chances of more coal plants is better in Kansdas than Colorado and they will deliver the power where the people are...a contemporary twist to that once radical mantra from yore: Power to the People.

      If Kansas grants permission for the plants the companies would sell to the richest and biggest customer base and that ain't westernKansas. For Kansas's government to intervene...why, depp breath, that would be almost like socialism and we know that is anathema.
      atowhee