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Kansas Liberty: 27 March 2008
Fear of "climate change" drives vetoes
Sebelius continues campaign against energy plants
Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius remained in counter-offensive mode this week following her recent veto of the majority-backed response to the Holcomb coal plant controversy that has spotlighted concerns from climate change to economic growth to constitutional regulatory powers.
Last week Sebelius immediately followed her veto with an executive order establishing a new task force called the Kansas Energy and Environmental Policy Advisory Group. She explained that her as yet unnamed 25-member group “will explore opportunities in all sectors of our economy to accomplish the goal of reducing our greenhouse gas emissions; [sic] and, at the same time, continue to take advantage of the economic prosperity provided by job growth throughout Kansas.” The group will be linked to an organization dedicated to "helping states and the nation tackle climate change."
The bill Sebelius vetoed is Sub. SB 327.
The advisory group’s work will be facilitated by the Pennsylvania-based Center for Climate Strategies, an activist organization that the Kansas Chapter of Americans for Prosperity was quick to describe as “an alarmist environmental group whose funding, ideas and proposals are well out of the mainstream.”
This week Sebelius interpreted the political meaning of a related proposal advanced to the floor of the Kansas House. Sub. SB 148 offers a more green-friendly plan for dealing with the proposed Holcomb plant that includes new state carbon-dioxide regulation measures.
“What’s interesting is there’s now a new bill that’s popping up,” Sebelius said in an interview with KCUR-FM Radio in Missouri. When prompted about whether that means the House cannot muster an override on Sub. SB 327, Sebelius said her understanding is that there aren't sufficient votes, “At least on the House side. The Senate probably does have the votes to override, but you need to override in both houses.”
The House was scheduled to debate Sub. SB 148 this week, but referred it back to House Appropriations Committee in order to keep it alive for potential action yet this session.
- Read Sebelius' Executive Order 08-03
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