Kansas rejection of coal plant fires up backlash

http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2920683020071129

OVERLAND PARK, Kansas (Reuters) - If there is one lesson Kansas officials have learned by rejecting a proposed expansion of a coal-fired power plant last month, it is this: Hell hath no fury like business interests scorned.

Six weeks ago Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Rod Bremby made Kansas the first U.S. state to reject a coal-fired power plant solely because of health risks associated with carbon dioxide emissions. Since then, the state has become ground zero for a nationwide battle pitting environmental concerns against powerful economic and political interests.

Kansas is now facing lawsuits from Sunflower Electric Power Corp and industry groups while angry state lawmakers are determined to overturn the denial of the $3.6 billion power plant project, with some even threatening to dismantle the state department of health and environment.

The energy industry also is pouring money into the state to try to overturn the October 18 ruling, which killed Sunflower's plan to add two 700-megawatt units to its operations in western Kansas, a cash-strapped rural area.

<more>

<snip>

Business groups and a Republican-led contingent of state legislators are working to nullify the decision, saying the Sunflower project would create jobs, provide badly needed energy for the area, and keep electricity rates in check.

<snip>

Sen. Sam Brownback, a Republican who dropped out of the race for president in October, has weighed in, calling the Kansas decision part of a "partisan political agenda."

<more>

The corporations and their minions are in control, and they will not hesitate to flex their muscle from here on in. Coal power, nuclear power, genetically engineered food, the privatization of all public services - it's all on the global agenda. To accomplish this they will move to block every attempt to pursue small, local, decentralized, and especially green agendas of any sort, or any attempts to constrain their expanding power.

This is the new face of globalization. If you want to understand how they will take advantage of the coming disruptions of energy, climate and the world food supply, read and think about "The Shock Doctrine". It's all in there.