Sep. 11--TOPEKA -- The state's largest utility on Monday announced the adoption of a "climate change policy" and vowed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

"The electric utility industry is facing important issues, and we recognize the need for companies to be proactive in addressing climate concerns," Bill Moore, Westar's president and chief executive officer, said. Westar serves nearly 700,000 Kansans and owns the state's largest coal-burning plants, which produce carbon dioxide, a major cause of climate change. Craig Volland, a spokesman for the Kansas chapter of the Sierra Club, said Westar's announcement was "impressive." But, Volland added, Westar also was staking out self-protecting positions in anticipation of national regulations on CO2 emissions.

"If you read between the lines, they are concerned that U.S. utilities should not be singled out to carry the whole burden to reduce greenhouse gasses," he said. In addition to vowing to intensify efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Westar also states it "will support public policies and initiatives that recognize and correct for possible extreme financial consequences that could result from the impositi n of greenhouse gas regulations." Westar officials said they will work on the issue locally but that responses to climate change require global solutions. "While some areas such as public policy and technology are still developing, we can take action by incorporating, where sensible, proven renewable energy resources and by educating our customers about energy efficiency and its role in reducing environme tal impact," Moore said.

But Westar has fought attempts to require utility companies to offer energy efficiency programs to customers. Last month, Westar proposed a plan to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions at the Jeffrey Energy Center near St. Marys, which is the company's largest and most polluting plant. That plan is being reviewed by state officials. And in February, the utility requested proposals for a 500 megawatt of renewable energy.