Jan 16 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - David Klepper The Kansas City Star, Mo.

Kansas leaders say they're in talks to avoid a standoff between the Legislature and the governor's administration over a rejected coal plant, but a compromise remains elusive.

That's because both Sunflower Electric Power Corp. and critics of its proposed plant refuse to budge. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius shows no signs of backing down, and neither do her legislative critics.

That could set up a legislative fight over the Sunflower project, which a Sebelius appointee, Kansas Health and Environment Secretary Rod Bremby, rejected last fall.

Sunflower had hoped to build two new coal-fired generators at its plant near Holcomb in southwest Kansas. Bremby said the plants would emit too much carbon dioxide, possibly worsening global climate change.

Sunflower challenged the decision in the courts. Lawmakers, led by Senate President Steve Morris and House Speaker Melvin Neufeld, vowed to fight the decision, saying the $3.6 billion plant would be the country's cleanest and create vital jobs and energy for the region.

Even before the 2008 legislative session started Monday, some lawmakers predicted the fight between Sebelius and plant supporters could bring the Legislature to a halt.

Morris said Tuesday that an energy bill now being written may include an attempt to overrule Sebelius.

Sebelius and Neufeld have said talks are under way, but provided no details. Neufeld, an Ingalls Republican, said he's hopeful a solution may be in the offing that allows the plants to be built.

"Those conversations are continuing," he said.

Sebelius balked at the term "negotiations" -- preferring "conversations" -- but said the issue wasn't as "black and white" as many think.

"There are lots of conversations under way," she said. "I will continue the discussions to explore options to provide baseload power and protect the environment."

On Tuesday, Sebelius spokeswoman Nicole Corcoran said that talks have yielded "no proposals for consideration at this point."

It's hard to imagine a deal that could please both sides. Environmental groups won't support the project at its current size, even if it came with more investments in renewable energy or other concessions. Sunflower spokesman Steve Miller said the proposal won't work on a smaller scale.

Environmental groups heaped praise on Sebelius for Bremby's decision in October. Reversing him now would hurt, said Kansas State University political science professor Joe Aistrup.

"It would look like a misstep," Aistrup said.

Morris said he knows that members of Sebelius' administration have spoken with Sunflower executives, but he said he's unaware of any willingness by Sebelius to reverse course.

Bob Eye, a Topeka attorney who represents the Sierra Club, said that if Sebelius were open to striking a compromise, he said, she probably would have done so before the rejection was announced.

"I'm dubious as to whether there are actual negotiations," he said. "But if there are, they need to be made public."

------

Forum next week

Johnson County lawmakers are sponsoring an informational forum on the Sunflower coal plant controversy at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at Shawnee Mission South High School.

Speakers include Eric Depperschmidt, president of the Finney County Economic Development Corp.; Earl Watkins Jr., president of Sunflower Electric; and Craig Volland, president of the Johnson County Sierra Club.

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