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TOPEKA | Opponents of two power plants proposed for western Kansas won a stunning victory Thursday that they hope signals the end of a six-month war over coal.
The Kansas House failed Thursday night to muster the 84 votes needed to defy Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and approve the plants over her veto. The vote was 80-45.
But plant supporters said they would keep trying until the legislative session ends.
“We’ll do something. We’re not through,” said House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, a major backer of Sunflower Electric Power Corp.’s project. Asked if Thursday’s vote was the last on the issue, the Ingalls Republican said, “Not hardly.”
Plant opponents called the vote historic, saying it may go down as a turning point in which Kansas becomes a leader in the movement away from old energy sources toward sustainable, environmentally friendly technologies and energy efficiency. They hoped Thursday’s vote was decisive.
“True innovation and true ingenuity only comes when we make difficult decisions,” said Rep. Josh Svaty, an Ellsworth Democrat. “… History happens in the unlikeliest of places.”
The Sierra Club hailed the vote, and Sebelius, in a statement, called on lawmakers to “work with me on a new comprehensive energy policy” to serve the entire state.
The now six-month debate thrust Kansas into the forefront of discussions about reliance on fossil fuels, climate change and renewable energy. So far, meaningful compromises have proven elusive.
Sunflower had hoped to build two 700-megawatt coal-burning plants at its Holcomb, Kan., power station. Nearly 85 percent of the electricity would have gone to out-of-state consumers.
After a state regulator rejected the project last year because of concerns about global climate change, legislative leaders vowed to strip his powers and allow the project to proceed.
Two bills to do just that passed easily but were vetoed by Sebelius, who supported the rejection.
The Senate has twice voted to override Sebelius’ vetoes, but this was the first formal override attempt in the House, which had not passed pro-coal legislation with a two-thirds majority.
To attract votes, supporters inserted several modest “green” provisions that would require Sunflower to invest more in wind energy, encourage solar power and give incentives for energy efficiency.
Neufeld met with Senate President Steve Morris, another project supporter, immediately after the vote Thursday. Neufeld wouldn’t say what his next step was, but it’s possible supporters could mount another effort to approve the plants as early as today.
Lawmakers were putting the finishing touches on the 2008 session and hoped to adjourn Saturday. Continued fights over coal could delay adjournment.
Thursday’s vote fell along regional lines. Most opponents come from the metro area, Wichita, Topeka and Lawrence. Almost all western Kansas lawmakers voted for the plant.
Before the vote, Neufeld told House Republicans that it would probably be “the most important vote you’ll cast for the future of this state.”
The votes of some Johnson County lawmakers proved decisive. Rep. Judy Morrison, a Shawnee Republican, and Rep. Ben Hodge, an Overland Park Republican, voted no, though both had supported the plants before. Rep. Pat Colloton, a Leawood Republican seen as a possible swing vote, also voted against the override.
Colloton said her constituents convinced her.
“I’m amazed at how well-educated many Kansans are on issues about the environment and energy,” she said.
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