From KSN:

TOPEKA, Kansas (AP) – Gov. Kathleen Sebelius says an energy bill before the House is dead on arrival if it reaches her desk.

Sebelius told reporters Wednesday: “It’s DOA with me – absolutely.”

The bill would allow two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas and restrict the power of the secretary of health and environment. But it ties those provisions to others designed to promote renewable energy.

The House plans to debate it Thursday.

Sebelius said the green provisions are too weak. And, she said, allowing two coal plants would be a step backward when the federal government is moving toward policies to promote green energy.

But House Speaker Mike O’Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, said it’s frustrating that she’s standing in the way of good energy policy.

Kansas Republican lawmakers want two coal plants, but Governor Sebelius keeps vetoing their bill. Their most recent bill also prevents the Kansas Health and Environment Secretary from being able to regulate the plants’ carbon dioxide emissions. Meanwhile, the federal stimulus package includes $30B for green energy investments.

It makes me wonder why Mike O’Neal thinks new coal energy plants are a “good energy policy.”

Categories: Kansas, Rant
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