7 June 2004

Statement from Governor Kathleen Sebelius upon receiving the Wind and Prairie Task Force Report

The following is a statement from Governor Kathleen Sebelius:

“Members of the Wind and Prairie Task Force tackled a very complex issue over the past several months, weighing the options of our state’s wind energy potential and preservation of unique ecosystems, such as the Flint Hills. The culmination of their efforts is a comprehensive report that will take time to review in its entirety. Based on my initial review of the findings, the Task Force has presented two different approaches with a common end result: implementation of a strategy that preserves the grasslands of Kansas, including those in the Flint Hills, while also developing our state’s wind-energy potential.

“As Governor, I urge all parties concerned including landowners, wind developers, power purchasers, and the appropriate county authorities to use restraint until the recommendations can be considered and acted upon by the Energy Council and the Legislature. In the meantime, I urge all parties to follow the agreed upon recommendations in the report when considering proposals for wind energy development.

“I very much appreciate the Wind and Prairie Task Force members for giving their time to this endeavor over the past four months. They had multiple meetings, created additional working groups and held two public forums at their own expense. Their commitment to public service, preserving ecologically sensitive regions of our state, and promoting wind-energy should be commended.”

The Wind and Prairie Task Force report can be found at www.kansasenergy.org