Sebelius names Kansans to help guide state’s energy future
Promoting renewable energy among top goals of Kansas Energy Council

Boosting the production of renewable energy while at the same time increasing energy efficiency are goals of the Kansas Energy Council, and to help guide the council Governor Kathleen Sebelius has appointed five new members and reappointed four current members.

“Under the leadership of Ken Frahm and Lt. Governor Mark Parkinson, Kansas has made great strides in expanding the use of renewable energy and increasing conservation,” Sebelius said. “The current and new members of the council will provide the expertise and leadership we need to continue that progress.”

Co-chaired by Frahm and Parkinson, the Kansas Energy Council encourages energy-related research, development and production in Kansas. 

Earlier this year, Sebelius set the goal of 10 percent of Kansas’ electricity coming from renewable sources by 2010, and 20 percent by 2020.  In May, Sebelius and Parkinson were joined by the leaders of Kansas’ six largest utilities who stated their intention to meet these goals.

“We’re well on our way to becoming a national leader in renewable energy,” said Parkinson. “With the utilities on board and the recent announcement by ITC Great Plains regarding an expansion of transmission capabilities, it’s clear our strategy to build a consensus and move forward together is working.  I look forward to involving these new council members in this exciting effort.”

The new members of the Kansas Energy Council are:

Lucas Bell, Lawrence
Steven Johnson, Lawrence
Mike Kelley, Overland Park
Hans Nettelblad, Overland Park
William Riggins, Lawrence

Also reappointed to the council were:

Sarah Dean, Lawrence
Ken Frahm, Colby
Joe Dick, Kansas City
Gregory Krissek, Wichita

These appointments and reappointments are for four-year terms ending June 30, 2011.

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