Permit denied for new coal-fired power plant
In October, Kansas state officials denied permits for two plants near the Colorado border, citing pollution concerns. The facility would have emitted over 10 million tons of global warming pollution each year. This is the first time that the decision has been made to deny an air permit on the basis of a plant’s projected global warming emissions.
Environment Colorado has been working with Rural Electric Cooperative customers since 2006 to oppose this facility’s construction. Together with a coalition of other groups, we’ve gained support from local governments, elected officials, attorneys general from 8 states and thousands of Colorado ratepayers.
Commenting on the state’s decision, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Roderick Bremby said, “It would be irresponsible to ignore emerging information about the contribution of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to climate change and the potential harm to our environment and health if we do nothing.”
A clean energy breakthrough in Congress?
Environment Colorado applauded members of our state’s congressional delegation, including Reps. Diana DeGette, Mark Udall, John Salazar and Ed Perlmutter, for their role in the Dec. 6 U.S. House vote on clean energy legislation. The bill would have required utilities to get 15 percent of their energy from clean, renewable sources and raised the gas mileage standards to 35 miles per gallon.
Unfortunately, facing veto threats from the White House and powerful opposition from midwestern and southern utilities and coal interests, the Senate pulled the plug on the renewable standard. However, thanks in part to the efforts of Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar, the final energy bill did contain a gas mileage provision, which will cut 424 million tons of global warming pollution by 2030. The bill was signed by the president in December. In the coming months, we’ll be working with our allies across the nation to re-introduce a national renewable energy standard.
Scott Prestidge, spokesperson for Rep. Mark Udall, joins Environment Colorado and representatives of the solar industry at a rally for solar power.
