ABEC STATEMENT ON KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DENIAL OF POWER PLANT PERMIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Joe Lucas

Phone: 703-302-1225

E-mail: jlucas@balancedenergy.org

ABEC STATEMENT ON KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT DENIAL OF POWER PLANT PERMIT

WASHINGTON, October 19, 2007 – Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) said the recent decision by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to deny a permit for two coal-generated power plants in southwest Kansas calls into serious question the future ability of America’s electricity providers to supply affordable and abundant energy.

“This decision casts a shadow of uncertainty over future economic prosperity and places a lid on further hopes of energy independence and security, said Joe Lucas, executive director of ABEC. “The decision by secretary Rod Bremby to deny the permit was made in spite of recommendations by the KDHE staff and leaders of the Kansas house and senate.”

Lucas also said that it was particularly disappointing that secretary Bremby decided to take a rather pessimistic approach in assessing the ability of advanced technologies to make it possible to capture and store carbon emissions within the relative near-term future at America’s coal-based power plants.

“Technology has provided the solution to every environmental challenge facing the coal-based electricity industry up until now,” Lucas said. “Those who are familiar with the state of technology recognize that reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector as a means of addressing climate concerns is not likely to be the exception to this rule,” he added.

“The decision to grant these permits would have been a triple win for Kansas. The siting of these new advanced coal plants would have ensured that Kansas electricity providers could meet the state and region’s growing energy needs, provided badly needed jobs for those in western Kansas, and accomplished these goals without compromising the environment,” Lucas said.

Electricity use in Kansas increased more than 65 percent over the past two decades. It is projected that Kansas residents and businesses will require 38 percent more electricity over the next 20 years.

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About ABEC – Americans for Balanced Energy Choices (ABEC) is a non-profit, non-partisan group that promotes a dialogue with community leaders across the nation to discuss balancing America’s growing demand for electricity with the need to protect the environment. Because of its prominence in the nation’s energy mix, electricity from coal is a major focus of the dialogue. For more information, visit www.balancedenergy.org