GPACE presentation to Topeka Sierra Club

GPACE

C

LEAN ENER

GY

The G

reat P

lains Alliance for

Supporting a clean, secure, prosperous energy economybenefiting more Kansas businesses, farms, communities,

and all future Kansans.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

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

2007

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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• Back down outdated facilities at the end of service life with renewables, EE, and proven technologies;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.


!


“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. OlivaKansas: A Hard Land in the Heartland (1988)


Windy Rural Areas Need Windy Rural Areas Need

Economic DevelopmentEconomic Development


Economic Impacts to Kansasfrom 7158 MW of new wind development by 2030

Direct Impacts

Payments to Landowners:

• $20.8 million/yearLocal Property Tax Revenue:

• $19 million/yearConstruction Phase:• 11,133 new construction jobs• $1.35B to local economies

Operational Phase:• 1805 new long-term jobs• $152M/yr to local economies

Indirect Impacts

Construction Phase:• 5,000 new jobs• $424M to local economies

Operational Phase:• 438 local jobs• $43 M/yr to local

economies

Induced Impacts

Construction Phase:• 6,223 new jobs• $559 M to local economies

Operational Phase:• 850 local jobs• $76 M/yr to local economies

Wind energy’s economic “ripple effect”

Construction Phase = 1-2 years

Operational Phase = 20+ years

Totals (construction + 20 yrs)Total economic benefit to Kansas = $7.8 billionNew local jobs during construction = over 23,000New long-term jobs for Kansans = over 3,000


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


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


• 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...”

Downside outcomes:


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?


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


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


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GPACE

C

LEAN ENER

GY

The G

reat P

lains Alliance for

www.gpace.orgTuesday, August 24, 2010

http://www.gpace.org

http://www.gpace.org

News & Politics

GPACE presentation to Topeka Sierra Club