IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 28, 2007

MORE HOUSE REPUBLICANS VOICE SUPPORT FOR PLANT EXPANSION

Topeka – Kansas House of Representatives Ty Masterson (R-Wichita); Don Schroeder (R-Inman); Deena Horst (R-Salina); Steve Huebert (R-Valley Center); Bill Otto (R-Le Roy); Mitch Holmes (R-St. John); and Richard Proehl (R-Parsons) announced their support today of the expansion of the Holcomb Generating Plant as proposed by the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation.

“Adding co-generation capacity at Sunflower’s plant in Holcomb can only benefit business and industry in Kansas,” Rep. Schroeder said.  “Availability and cost of power to businesses is important to maintain a competitive edge. Technology exists to keep pollutants low and will be utilized with this expansion. This is a great opportunity for Kansas to become a net exporter of electric power.”

Rep. Masterson agreed.  He and other lawmakers toured the current plant earlier this month.

“It would be great for Kansas to be an exporter of clean energy,” Masterson said.  “The timing is right for this expansion and the implementation of the latest coal technology.  There are concerns that if this permit to expand is not approved, our state will lose this multi-million dollar economic benefit to another state.  I would hate for that to happen to Kansas.”

The Representatives join other House Republicans who earlier this week sent a letter to Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Roderick Bremby, expressing their support of the Holcomb expansion and asking him to approve the expansion permit.

“This is a positive thing for Kansas,” said Rep. Proehl.

Rep. Huebert said he believes the expansion is a win-win for Kansas.

“Not only will Kansas benefit greatly from the expansion but updates will be done to the existing plant to improve its already technically advanced, amazingly clean and environmentally safe facility,” Rep. Huebert said.

 Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a regional wholesale power supplier that owns and operates gas and coal-fired generating plants and a 1,200-mile transmission system for the needs of its six member cooperatives, which serve 118,000 people spread throughout a 21,000 square mile area in western Kansas. Sunflower also provides power to regional utilities in western Kansas and in ten states.

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Rep. Richard Proehl   
House Energy & Utilities Committee  
620/421-1804   

Rep. Don Schroeder   
House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee
620/585-6922

Rep. Ty Masterson    
House Appropriations Committee
316/733-7229 

Rep. Steve Huebert     
Vice-Chair, House Federal & State Affairs
316/755-1943

Rep. Deena Horst

Vice-Chair, House Education Committee

785/827-8540

Rep. Bill Otto
Health & Human Services Committee
620/964-2355

Rep. Mitch Holmes
Vice-Chair, House Transportation & Public Safety Budget Committee
620/234-5834