Diversifying our energy production portfolio, conserving our natural resources,
and increasing the energy efficiency of our homes and buildings have become new and
money-saving priorities for Kansans.
As Co-Chair of the Kansas Energy Council (for more information, click
here), I am working
with Kansans throughout the state to implement cost-saving measures that will protect
our environment, decrease our reliance on foreign sources of oil, and make Kansas a
leader in renewable energy production.
For example, the Governor set a goal of producing 10 percent of our energy production
from the wind by 2010 and 20 percent by 2020. By doing so, she has made it clear Kansas
should, could and will become a national leader in wind energy.
Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson
visits the East Kansas Agri-Energy ethanol plant in Garnett in June 2007, a community-supported
and -funded project.
We are working closely with heads of six major Kansas utilities, while Westar announced
plans in early 2007 to add 500 MW of wind in the state (see press release
here). We
are already well on our way to accomplishing this goal.
Further, Kansas’ strong agricultural background makes it a prime location for
producing both corn-based and cellulosic ethanol, as well as bio-diesel. As of summer
2007, Kansas had 9 biofuel plants completed, with another 13 being
developed or under construction and 8 being planned.
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