Kansas City Residents Can Breathe Easier Following Major Emissions-Reduction Initiative

Energy Resource, March 20, 2007

ENERGY RESOURCE-20 March 2007-Kansas City Residents Can Breathe Easier Following Major Emissions-Reduction Initiative(C)2007 JeraOne - http://www.jeraone.com

The Sierra Club, Kansas City Power & Light and the Concerned Citizens of Platte County (CCPC) have agreed on a set of initiatives to offset carbon dioxide (CO2) and reduce other emissions for the Kansas City-based utility.

Under the agreement, KCP&L will pursue offsets for all of the global warming emissions associated with its new plant through what it terms "significant investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy." It will also reduce pollution from its existing plants in order to improve air quality in the Greater Kansas City metro area.

A key element of the agreement is the commitment by KCP&L to pursue the offset of carbon emissions from its proposed Iatan 2 generating station, located near Weston, Missouri. The estimated 6,000,000 tons of annual carbon dioxide emissions are targeted to be offset by adding 400 megawatts (MW) of wind power; 300 MW of energy efficiency; and a still-to-be determined combination of wind, efficiency, or the closing, altering, re-powering or efficiency improvements at any of its generating units.

The proposed offsets will be partially implemented by 2010 and fully implemented by 2012. The parties are also agreeing to work together on a series of regulatory and legislative initiatives to achieve an overall reduction in KCP&L's carbon dioxide emissions of 20 percent by 2020.

"This agreement is a win for our climate, for the environment, and for the residents of the Kansas City area," said Carl Pope, Sierra Club executive director. "It is the latest sign that smart energy solutions like wind power and energy efficiency are gathering steam. We look forward to working with KCP&L to help the Midwest realize its full potential as a leader in the clean energy technologies that will fuel the economy of tomorrow."

The agreement proposes other investments in clean energy, significant decreases in emissions and resolves four appeals pending between the Sierra Club, CCPC, and KCP&L. Full implementation of the terms of the agreement will necessitate approval from the appropriate authorities, as some of the initiatives in this agreement require either enabling legislative policy or regulatory approval, the utility said.

"This agreement shows that we can work together to curb air pollution, combat global warming, and protect our local communities," said Susan Brown, chairperson for Concerned Citizens of Platte County. "The renewable energy investments in this agreement can revitalize the region's manufacturing economy and offer rural landowners a new source of steady income from wind turbines located on their property. The large investment in energy efficiency will also help everyone use less energy -- reducing emissions and saving consumers and businesses money each month."

In addition to offsetting its global warming emissions, residents of the Kansas City area will benefit from reduced emissions of criteria pollutants at KCP&L's existing Iatan 1 and La Cygne plants. The agreement calls for annual reductions in nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter estimated to total some 9,100 tons.

Within the next year, KCP&L will also work with the Sierra Club to study options, including retiring, re-powering or upgrading its Montrose power plant. Finally, KCP&L will fund several community projects including: recommendations of the Kansas City Climate Protection Committee targeting global warming reduction measures; additional monitoring of soot and smog pollution in the metro area; and an upgrade to the drinking water infrastructure in Weston, a community near the Iatan station.

"KCP&L's current Comprehensive Energy Plan addresses the energy needs and emissions reductions for the Kansas City region with actions into the year 2010. This agreement is the start of the next set of discussions with stakeholders as we develop our plans for the 2010-2015 timeframe," said Bill Downey, president and CEO of KCP&L. "It reflects the ongoing atmosphere of collaboration we established in developing the CEP, and proactively resolves differences. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to secure a long-term energy supply for Kansas City while improving air quality."

The Sierra Club brokered a deal in 2006 with City Water Light and Power of Springfield, Illinois, that included the retirement of one of the dirtiest coal plants in the nation, the purchase 120 MW of wind, a $4 million investment in energy efficiency, and a "significant" decrease soot, smog and mercury pollution. In addition, all of the government buildings owned by the state of Illinois are to be powered with green electricity.

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