Print edition: 
TOPEKA — Kansas Health and Environment officials have opened the public comment and hearing process for an air quality permit for a new southwest Kansas power plant.
Hays-based Sunflower Electric Power Corp. wants to build an 895-megawatt coal-fired plant in Finney County. It is seeking a permit from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, saying the plant would comply with state and federal air pollution rules.
KDHE issued a draft permit to Sunflower for the new plant in June, the latest step in a long process for the utility to get its project approved.
The public comment period began Thursday and will continue through Aug. 15. Three public hearings are scheduled in August in Overland Park, Garden City and Salina.
The new plant would generate enough power to meet the peak electricity demands of 448,000 households, according to one state estimate. Much of the new power would be sold to out-of-state electric cooperatives.
Sunflower has promised construction would create about 1,900 jobs and generate about $121 million in wages over four years. When construction is done, the plant will provide 70 additional jobs for Sunflower and 130 indirect jobs in the region.
Sunflower previously wanted to build two 700-megawatt plants in Finney County. But in October 2007, the state rejected an air quality permit, citing the plants' potential carbon dioxide emissions.
The dispute between the Democratic governor's office and the utility spilled into the Republican-controlled Legislature, which tried unsuccessfully to override the permit denial.
Gov. Mark Parkinson struck a deal with Sunflower in spring 2009 to allow one coal-fired plant. Legislators approved the package and the project moved forward, with Sunflower filing its application for the permit later in 2009.
The project has generated criticism from several environmental groups concerned about the power plant's impact. They argue the additional production of carbon dioxide and other pollutants will contribute to global warming and climate change.
"For Sunflower's minimal power needs, building a near 900 megawatt coal plant is quite possibly the most risky option for ratepayers and the environment," said Stephanie Cole of the Kansas Sierra Club.
Cole said the public was not allowed to comment on the agreement reached between Parkinson and Sunflower in 2009. She said Kansas residents should pay attention to the process and participate in the public hearings to make their concerns known.
Joining the Sierra Club in its opposition to the plant is Earthjustice, a group of environmentalists.
"The draft permit is a highly technical and lengthy document, and Kansans deserve enough time to thoroughly review the details of the draft permit," said Amanda Goodin, an Earthjustice attorney. "Given the fact that the health and welfare of Kansas citizens is at stake, a comprehensive independent review of the permit provisions is essential."
Cinthia Hertel, spokeswoman for Sunflower, said the utility conducted a poll at the beginning of the year showing that Kansans were eager to see more jobs and affordable energy in the region.
"We know they want this to go through," Hertel said. "We hope this happens. We've been at it quite a while."
Hertel said lawsuits are expected, but the plant would use the best technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
