A presentation to the Topeka chapter of the Kansas Sierra Club on August 24th by GPACE Executive Director Scott Allegrucci.

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Supporting a clean, secure, prosperous energy economy
benefiting more Kansas businesses, farms, communities,
and all future Kansans.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

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2007
GPACE is a 501(c)(4) non-partisan, non-profit - hundreds of KS donors,
thousands of KS members, regional & national partners
Formed in the context of the politicizing of the Holcomb debate
In the wake of the Flint Hills “anti-wind” controversy
Lack of leadership in KS regarding energy policy, renewable energy, and
fuel options
Recurring debate over accepted science (evolution-to-global warming)
Generally, we represent those who believe KS should maximize renewable &
native fuel potential BEFORE building any new coal
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

3. The energy policy GPACE supports would continue to move KS
toward already accepted goals for electricity production by 2020:
• Maximize energy efficiency as a resource;
• Maximize wind energy production and integration beyond nameplate;
• Develop KS natural gas resources to firm wind and meet peak;
• Back down outdated facilities at the end of service life with
renewables, EE, and proven technologies;
• New export capacity should prioritize native and renewable energy;
• No substantial new coal production until national regulatory and
financial picture is clear, “clean coal” is proven effective, and baseload
need is credible; and
• Maintain existing nuclear capacity until national reg and financial picture
is clear.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

4. !
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

5. “There is a Kansas character, and its roots are found
in the midwestern rural traditions of hard work,
struggle in the face of adversity, frugality, practicality,
individualism, democracy, and environmental
irresponsibility.”
Leo E. Oliva
Kansas: A Hard Land in the Heartland (1988)
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

6. Windy Rural Areas Need
Economic Development
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

7. Economic Impacts to Kansas
from 7158 MW of new wind development by 2030
Wind energy’s economic “ripple effect”
Direct Impacts
Indirect Impacts Induced Impacts
Payments to Landowners:
• $20.8 million/year
Local Property Tax Revenue: Construction Phase: Construction Phase:
• $19 million/year • 5,000 new jobs • 6,223 new jobs
Construction Phase: • $424M to local • $559 M to local
• 11,133 new construction jobs economies economies
• $1.35B to local economies Operational Phase: Operational Phase:
Operational Phase: • 438 local jobs • 850 local jobs
• 1805 new long-term jobs • $43 M/yr to local • $76 M/yr to local
• $152M/yr to local economies economies economies
Totals (construction + 20 yrs)
Total economic benefit to Kansas = $7.8 billion
New local jobs during construction = over 23,000 Construction Phase = 1-2 years
New long-term jobs for Kansans = over 3,000 Operational Phase = 20+ years
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

8. How did we get here?
• 2004/2005 - Sunflower Electric abandons 660MW Sand Sage coal plant
• Tri-State G&T issues RFP for baseload coal power
• US Supreme Court ruling in Mass. v. EPA
• Sec. Bremby denies previous permit apps.
• Gov. Sebelius determined to defend the decision
• Two legislative sessions held hostage
• New federal administration
• Settlement agreement
• 2010 - new permit application filed
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

9. Upside outcomes of debate, to date:
• Kansas policy makers more knowledgeable and engaged on energy
• Creation of an informed citizen alliance
• Ideas of wind as eco-devo established, transmission prioritized
• KS seen by national industry and policy makers as more pro-wind
• 2007 - “Wind in Kansas is a pipe-dream”
• 2009 - moderate RES, Siemen’s project, Cloud County CC progress
• Elected officials expected to demonstrate some level of public
accountability re: renewable energy
• Informed local activism: Reno County, Sumner County, others (regional
wind forums)
• KS represented in regional and national renewable energy discussions
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

10. Downside outcomes:
• Two/three legislative sessions compromised
• Multiple lawsuits filed, dismissed - more to come
• Critical time and money wasted - more to come
• Partisan political and identity barriers re: renewable energy reinforced
• Missing and mis-information offered as “facts”
• As yet, no credible policy debate by all major stakeholders
• Renewable policy held hostage to partisan and geo-parochial politics
• No true fuel choice cost comparisons
• KS still behind wind energy leadership and development
• Issue fatigue - “...a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying
nothing...”
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

11. What are we ultimately aiming for?
• “Comprehensive energy policy”?
• Economic development? Accountability for claims?
• “Energy independence”?
• Rate reductions?
• System planning? State planning? Regional planning?
• Paradigm shift? Status quo? Sustainable growth?
• Full cost accounting? Long term?
• What about carbon and climate?
• Public inclusion? Spitballs if you do, pitchforks and torches if you
don’t.
• What does the future look like?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

12. Why does this coal plant matter?
• Long term impacts upon environment, economy, and health statewide -
this is a 30-50 year policy decision
• Policy informed by special interest misinformation or credible,
comprehensive information?
• Indigenous & renewable fuels vs. imported fossil fuels
• Impact upon renewable energy and transmission investments
• Driven by industry and out-of-state interests
• First of several proposed coal plants at Holcomb - KS as a dumping
ground
• Accountability of elected officials for public policy & investment
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

13. KDHE Public Comment Process on the
Proposed Sunflower Draft Permit
• One 45-day public comment period with three public hearings concluded
• 750 public comments last time - well over 2,500 this time
• Due to Sunflower error, KDHE will schedule an additional public comment
period and a 4th public hearing - probably in Topeka
• False “jobs vs. environment” message
• Significant regulatory changes at the federal level, esp. beginning 2011
• Coming administrative change at the state level
• More information is available on the KDHE website at: http://
www.kdheks.gov/bar/sunflower/sunflower.html
Tuesday, August 24, 2010

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www.gpace.org
Tuesday, August 24, 2010