Mar 5 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - David Klepper The Kansas City Star, Mo.

The Kansas House today again endorsed legislation designed to allow a expansion of a coal-burning power plant, inching closer to a veto showdown with Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

The Senate could take a final vote Thursday. Approval would send the legislation to Sebelius, where it faces a likely veto.

The governor supported the regulator's rejection of the expansion because of its greenhouse gas emissions. She has said the current bill doesn't do enough to support renewable energy.

Supporters of the power plant, however, say that the expansion is vital to western Kansas and that the rejection was arbitrary and political. They're counting votes to see if they have the 84 House votes to override a veto.

Wednesday's vote in the House was 75-47, with most Democrats and some eastern Kansas Republicans voting no. Votes may change, however, as political pressure from both sides is brought to bear.

Both chambers approved legislation last month to clear the way for Sunflower Electric Power Corp.'s expansion plans, but the bills contained minor differences. Votes this week are necessary to approve the compromise worked out between the two chambers.

The bill, SB 327, would allow Sunflower to reapply for a permit to expand its plant near Holcomb, Kan., and take away the power the regulator used to reject it last year. Earlier provisions would have imposed a tax on plant emissions, but those were deleted.

The bill does include some modest green initiatives, including new energy efficiency standards for state buildings, the creation of an energy commission, rules for power plant technology, mercury pollution standards and a provision to allow those with solar panels to sell surplus power to their utility.

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