Coal Plant Still Faces Obstacles

Opponents of a coal-fired power plant planned for southwest Kansas say developers still face obstacles in completing the project despite legislation approved by the U.S. House.

Kansas congressman Tim Huelskamp inserted language removing one level of federal oversight of the project planned by Sunflower Electric Power Corp. The Hays-based company wants to build a second coal-fired unit at its Holcomb power plant.

Three-fourths of the energy generated by the second unit would be reserved for Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, of Westminster, Colo.

Environmentalists said Tuesday the project still faces other obstacles from Kansas courts and the Environmental Protection Agency, as well as new renewable energy standards imposed by Colorado on Tri-State.