In its zeal to kill coal-fired power plants, the Obama administration will finalize one energy-crushing rule this month and fully implement another as we ring in the new year. Among the new rules facing America are the Utility Maximum Available Control Technology Rule and the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule. According to the administration’s own research, these job-killing regulations can force many existing power plants to “retire,” or delay and prevent much-needed new power plants from going online. The possibility of Kansans losing power as a result of these regulations is more than speculation. It is an inevitable reality. Regulations like these establish unattainable targets for emissions levels that Sunflower Electric Power Corp. may not be able to achieve with its Holcomb expansion project, an overdue endeavor that will supply much-needed electricity to our part of the country. Regulations like these also set unreasonable deadlines for compliance that entities like Westar Energy may not be able to meet and, as a result, could impose blackouts on Kansans as early as this summer. While Washington thinks it might be doing America a favor by imposing these regulations, all it has done is cause a tremendous amount of uncertainty, unachievable goals and undue costs to you. — Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Fowler
Kansas utilities are sticking to their irresponsible — but all-too-familiar — claim that they can’t act quickly to meet federal rules aimed at reducing harmful emissions from coal-fired power plants. How disappointing. And how predictable. The utilities have known for years the day was coming when they would be required to make upgrades needed to help make the air cleaner. Indeed, many utilities in other states already have complied. Yet Kansas City Power & Light, the Kansas City, Kan., Board of Public Utilities, Westar Energy and Sunflower Electric Power Corp. are in court trying to fend off meeting the regulations. They complain that acting now could lead to higher costs and even — gasp — rolling blackouts for customers. The Environmental Protection Agency has exposed the emptiness of these rash contentions. Regional Administrator Karl Brooks points out that “in EPA’s 40-year history, there have been no instances in which the Clean Air Act has contributed to electric grid reliability problems.” By trying to slow progress on clean air, the Kansas utilities are not acting in the best interests of their customers. They instead should march forward to quickly reduce pollution from their dirty power plants. — Kansas City Star
