Kansas Power Giant Adopts Cautious Climate Change Policy

TOPEKA, Kansas, September 12, 2007 (ENS) - The largest electric utility in Kansas has formally adopted a climate change policy which provides the company a framework within which to make corporate decisions that affect the environment.

The publicly traded Westar Energy, Inc. provides service to 673,000 customers with 12 power plants - 11 are fueled with coal, oil and natural gas, and one is a nuclear power plant, the Wolf Creek Generating Station.

On Monday, Westar announced its Climate Change Policy, which the utility says will reduce the amount of greenhouse gases its plants emit as enabling technologies develop.

"We will support compliance timelines for greenhouse gas reductions consistent with the expected development and commercialization of technology solutions," the company's new policy states.

Westar hopes to reap the financial benefits of being one of the early actors to address climate change while side-stepping any future financial penalties for failing to act.

The company says it will support public policies that "recognize early actions or investments made to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions," and it hopes to avoid "extreme financial consequences that could result from the imposition of greenhouse gas regulations."

Westar says it intends to educate the public about climate change and energy efficiency and will support "constructive public policies and initiatives."

"Our decisions today have an immediate and lasting impact on our customers and a longterm effect on the environment," said Bill Moore, Westar president and chief executive officer. "The electric utility industry is facing important issues, and we recognize the need for companies to be proactive in addressing climate concerns. We are taking that step forward."

Westar Environmental Services Director Bill Eastman said, "Westar Energy recognizes the growing concerns regarding the threat of climate change and believes our industry must take a leadership role in this debate. It must be understood that climate change is a global issue requiring global solutions guided by sound science, objective engineering and our best economic information."

Westar Energy now has energy calculators on its website that allow customers to estimate the energy and financial savings of efficiency efforts they can take in their homes or businesses.

Westar also plans to unveil a number of energy efficiency programs in 2008 in which customers may elect to participate.

On August 30, Westar announced it has filed an application with the state to spend $465 million to reduce emissions from its largest and most polluting power plant, the coal-fired Jeffrey Energy Center.

"While our plants operate within today’s rules, this project along with those included in the proposed agreement will allow us to meet the new, even tougher clean air regulations under the Clean Air Visibility Rule," said Eastman.

The Jeffrey Energy Center, near St. Marys, emits more of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide than any other power plant in Kansas, releasing 18.1 million tons of the gas each year.

Westar said it would reduce emissions at the power plant by rebuilding sulfur dioxide scrubbers and installing low nitrous oxide emissions systems, and precipitators that remove particulate matter.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment must approve the Jeffrey Energy Center plan, which Westar says is designed to meet the future requirements of the federal Clean Air Visibility Rule.

Copyright Environment News Service (ENS) 2007. All rights reserved.