Sunflower Endorses National Renewables Initiative
HAYS, Kan., Sep 12, 2007 -- PrimeNewswire
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation recently joined a growing list of organizations across the United States that have endorsed the national initiative to produce 25 percent of the nation's energy from renewable resources by 2025. The Hays-based company became the first utility in Kansas to commit to the national plan.
In her May 2006 endorsement of the initiative, Governor Kathleen Sebelius became the seventh governor to support the plan.
"Meeting the 25x'25 goal through the expanded production of biofuels, solar, wind and other renewable energy sources will create new economic opportunities, enhance national security, and promote a bright future for the nation," Sebelius said.
Earl Watkins, Sunflower's president and chief executive officer, agreed with Sebelius.
"We are happy to be the first utility in Kansas to join not only the Governor, but also with both houses of the Kansas Legislature in working towards this goal," Watkins said.
Sunflower has been actively working to help achieve this goal through the development of an integrated bioenergy center at Holcomb Station. The bioenergy center will include a biodiesel and an ethanol plant; an anaerobic digester, a diary farm, and a microalgae reactor that will utilize flue gas emissions from the coal-fired power plants at the site.
In addition, Sunflower is committed to purchasing more than 100 megawatts of wind generation and will build new high voltage transmission lines as a result of the expansion of its Holcomb Station.
Watkins said that while Sunflower continues to manage the delicate balance between economic necessity and environmental stewardship, it will continue to look for ways to be innovative and, as always, compliant with state and national laws and regulations.
This year, Sunflower will reach Sebelius' goal of 10 percent renewables by 2010, but Watkins said the company considers it necessary to endorse the 25x'25 initiative for several reasons.
"We not only want to be a successful public utility, but achieving this goal will also help us meet one of our highest moral imperatives, which is to be environmentally responsible while giving our children and grandchildren the opportunity for economic success in the rural areas of Kansas," Watkins said.
About Sunflower
Sunflower Electric Power Corporation is a regional wholesale power supplier that operates a 1,203 MW system of wind, gas, and coal-based generating plants and a 2,300-mile transmission system for the needs of its six member cooperatives who serve more than 124,000 customers living in central and western Kansas. Visit Sunflower's website at http://www.sunflower.net
Sunflower's member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Dighton; Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Ulysses; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Norton; Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Dodge City; Western Cooperative Electric Association, WaKeeney; and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Scott City, Kansas.
This news release was distributed by PrimeNewswire, www.primenewswire.com
SOURCE: Sunflower Electric Power Corporation
News Provided By
