I’m a fourth generation cattle rancher and a first generation wind farmer.  I live near Beaumont, Kansas within one mile of the Elk River Wind Farm.  It is a statement about carbon.  From my front porch, I can see that Kansans have a clean, clear choice when it comes to the generation of electric power.  As responsible citizens and, most importantly, as Kansans, it is essential that we become aware of where our energy is coming from and the full effect of its production and consumption.  Right now vital decisions are now being made in our legislature about carbon … about coal … about electricity.  Quite simply, Kansas could lead our nation in a cleaner direction.

Now that the reality of climate change is no longer debatable, why would we choose to boil ourselves alive burning fuels that are not renewable when we could tap into a clean, inexhaustible power source?  If we want electricity in our homes, we have an elegant alternative to the burning of coal in the form of wind power.  It requires no strip mines anywhere and no railroad to move the coal.  Wind power will not transmit more poisonous mercury into our water nor will it deplete the precious water of our aquifers.  Wind can produce power at rates competitive with coal and produce more jobs evenly dispersed throughout the Great Plains.  Most importantly, it will not contribute to the scandalous warming of the planet.

Kansas is ripe for wind development ... it ranks third in our nation behind Texas and North Dakota in potential capacity.  The western third of our state harbors quality wind sites that, if developed, could make Kansas a net exporter of energy.  A robust transmission system is essential in harnessing that resource.  In December, a spokesperson from the Southwest Power Pool testified before the Kansas Electrical Transmission Authority in Topeka.  He clearly stated that “SPP does not feel it’s appropriate to stop everything as a result of the Holcomb decision …”   Building new transmission … “is the right solution, regardless of Holcomb.”  Some of our legislators have apparently not heard this testimony.

I’m sure the Sunflower Electrical Cooperative serves it’s constituents as well as it can.  Unfortunately, Sunflower has persuaded some of our legislators to value Wyoming coal more than Kansas wind.  It’s curious that they hold greater allegiance to the Western Fuels Association, Inc. than to the potential economic boost wind power could bring to the farmers, ranchers and communities of western Kansas.  It is the duty of our legislators to balance collective desire with collective wisdom.  No one wants more mercury in our food and water.  No one wants to see our summers get more severe.  And certainly no one wants to do without electricity.  Western Kansas wind, not Wyoming coal, represents a win-win for Kansans … both economically and ecologically.         

This is a turning point for our state and our nation.  Will our children thank us for scalding the planet?  Will they thank us for putting more mercury in the water?  Or will they thank us for taking a vital step toward clean, renewable power?  Please convince our legislators to join other progressive states in reducing, not increasing, our carbon emissions.  Thank you.
 
Pete Ferrell, Beaumont, KS.