Feb 18 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - David Klepper The Kansas City Star, Mo.

The Kansas House gave preliminary approval today to a bill that clears the way for the expansion of Sunflower Electric Power Corp.'s western Kansas coal plant.

A final vote is expected Tuesday.

The 73-45 vote is significant because it's nine less than the House would need to enact the law over a veto by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The Senate has already passed a similar bill. A small panel of lawmakers would work out any differences between the legislation before it goes to the Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

Sebelius is almost certain to veto the measure, prompting lawmakers to count votes closely to see whether they have the necessary two-thirds majority required in both chambers to override a veto.

Both bills would eliminate the discretionary authority a state regulator used to reject the expansion last year and would allow Sunflower to ask for approval again. Earlier proposals called for restrictions on the plant's carbon emissions, but those were scrapped.

Monday's House vote was unrecorded.

Sunflower's expansion plans ran into trouble last year when Kansas Health and Environment Secretary Rod Bremby denied a permit for the plant, citing the 11 million tons of carbon dioxide the plant would emit.

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TO READ THE BILL:

Go to www.kslegislature.org

The Senate bill is HB 2066; the House Bill is SB 327.

To reach David Klepper, call 785-354-1388 or send e-mail to dklepper@kcstar.com.