United Press International, 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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