IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                       
October 18, 2007 

For More Information, Contact:

Sherriene Jones-Sontag

785/296-7278

SPEAKER DISAPPOINTED WITH KDHE DECISION

Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) expressed extreme disappointment today with Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Roderick Bremby’s rejection of the expansion of the Holcomb Generating Plant as proposed by the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.

“It is difficult for me to understand how Secretary Bremby came to this decision after his highly trained staff spent months carefully reviewing the application, found it in compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations, and then recommended approving it,” Speaker Neufeld said.  “His action today sends a clear message that economic development is not welcomed in rural Kansas.  This is clearly to me a political decision dictated by Governor Sebelius.”

Speaker Neufeld repeated his concerns that another energy company will build similar plants across the stateline in either Oklahoma or Colorado. 

“Even the governor has acknowledged this is a strong possibility but I hope it does not happen,” Neufeld said.  “If it does, not only will our state suffer possible negative impacts without the economic benefits but future energy needs in western Kansas will depend on out of state sources at much higher rates.”

Speaker Neufeld said the Legislature’s Electric Generation Review Panel which he is a member of, will continue its investigation into how KDHE handles air quality permit applications.

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