Forty Republican members of the Kansas House have sent a letter to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in support of the Sunflower coal plant expansion.
The list is notable in that it contains the House speaker, the majority leader and other leaders, as well as the chairman and the vice-chairman of the energy committee. Chairs of other critical committees — including Appropriations, Judiciary, Transportation and others — also signed the letter.
There are a few moderate names on here, but mostly it's conservatives.
"This project offers our state the unique opportunity for tremendous economic development in a part of our state that has experienced a drop in its population and economy," Speaker Melvin Neufeld said in an accompanying statement. "This is a "win-win" for our state. Not only will this project be designed, constructed and operated in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements, but it also will allow Sunflower to continue to provide lost-cost electricity to thousands of Kansans."
The list of signees:
Neufeld, Ingalls
Don Dahl, Hillsboro, Speaker pro tem
Majority Leader Ray Merrick, Stillwell
Jene Vickrey, Louisburg, Asst. Majority Leader
Rob Olson, Olathe
Dick Kelsey, Goddard
Steve Brunk, Wichita
Mike Kiegerl, Olathe
Carl Holmes, Liberal
Larry Powell, Garden City
John Faber, Garden City
Forrest Knox, Altoona
Sharon Schwartz, Washington
Lee Tafanelli, Ozawkie
Kenny Wilk, Lansing
Richard Carlson, St. Marys
Don Myers, Derby
Mario Goico, Wichita
Gary Hayzlett, Lakin
Virgil Peck, Tyro
Bob Bethell, Alden
John Grange, El Dorado
Pat George, Dodge City
Jim Morrison, Colby
Mike O'Neal, Hutchinson
Clay Aurand, Courtland
Arlen Siegfreid, Olathe
Joe McLelandm, Wichita
Lana Gordon, Topeka
Joe Humerickhouse, Osage City
Anthony Brown, Eudora
Peggy Mast, Emporia
Ted Powers, Mulvane
Lance Kinzer, Olathe
Kasha Kelly, Arkansas City
Clark Shultz, Lindsborg
Bill Light, Rolla
Jeff Whitham, Garden City
Virginia Beamer, Oakley
Why do they love coal? Let me count the contributions
So 40 Republicans wrote to KDHE to encourage permitting of the Holcolmb pollution?
Here's the reason: Contributions from Sunflower Electric positively brightened the electoral field.
Speaker Melvin Neufeld: $100 x 2 ('04, '05)
Majority Leader Ray Merrick: $100
Asst. Majority Leader Jene Vickery: $100
Rob Olson: $100
Steve Brunk:$100
Carl Holmes: $500 + $200
Larry Powell: $100 + $100
John Faber: $100
Forrest Knox: $100
Lee Tafanelli: $125
Don Myers: $125
Mario Goico: $100
Gary Hayzlett: $150 + $100
Virgil Peck: $100
John Grange: $100
Jim Morrison: $100
Clay Aurand: $100
Joe McLeland: $100
Lana Gordon: $100
Peggy Mast: $125 + $100
Lance Kinzer: $100
Bill Light: $125
So 22 Republicans who got money from Sunflower signed the letter to KDHE.
Republicans got 3/4ths of the Sunflower money.
Of over a dozen Democrats who got Sunflower money, not one signed the letter. One Republican who got money changed parties and did not sign (Cindy Neighbor).
A handful of Republicans who got Sunflower money did not sign the letter. Interestingly, three are on the House Energy and Utilities Committee: Judy Morrison and Tom Sloan who received money twice each and Dan Johnson. Mitch Holmes also did not sign, despite a contribution.
If this is such a great deal, such a going concern, why does Sunflower need a 12-year tax abatement? What is that going to cost the county in which it locates, which will be responsible for the infrastrucure and services Sunflower will demand?
How much more water will be required to run this plant? How do farmers drawing from the same acquifer feel about the proposal? How many kids with athsma are living downwind from the plant?