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October 19, 2007

KANSAS REJECTS COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT

HOLCOMB, Kan., Oct. 19 (UPI) -- The Kansas Department of Health and
Environment denied the air quality permit for two proposed 700-
megawatt generators at the Sunflower Electric Power Corp.

The agency cited environmental concerns in rejecting the expansion at
the coal-fired plant in Holcomb, Kan., which was projected to release
an estimated 11 million tons of carbon dioxide annually..

"I believe it would be irresponsible to ignore emerging information
about the contribution of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to
climate change and the potential harm to our environment and health if
we do nothing," Secretary Roderick L. Bremby said in a release.

The Washington Post Friday said it is the first time carbon dioxide
emissions have been given as the reason for rejecting an air permit
for a proposed coal-fired electricity generating plant in the United
States.

The agency said the Sunflower denial is the first step in emerging
policy to address existing and future carbon dioxide emissions in
Kansas.

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