Kansas Task Force Established to Help Site Wind Turbines

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has asked the chair of Kansas’ State Energy Resources Coordinating Council (SERCC) to appoint a special task force to help communities in the Flint Hill region of Kansas site wind power projects. The new Wind and Prairie Task Force comes after a 2002 study listed Kansas as the state with the greatest potential for wind resources, assuming there is existing transmission availability.

Contact: Kara Colton
Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Division

http://www.nga.org/center/frontAndCenter/1,1188,C_FRONT_CENTER%5ED_6210,00.html

The Task Force’s primary goals include:

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Examining and considering key issues involved in siting wind turbines in the region;

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Developing recommendations to help decision-makers find an appropriate balance in promoting wind energy potential and preserving natural ecosystems;

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Establishing guidelines, principles and best practices for local communities, landowners, project developers and other interested stakeholders to use for wind energy development in environmentally sensitive regions.

The Wind and Prairie Task Force is charged with producing a report of its recommendations to Governor Sebelius by May 31, 2004. Currently, the task force is setting up an energy listserve and a webpage to include key documents, task force members, meetings, siting maps and guides, and wind and prairie news.
Related Links:

* Kansas Governor’s Press Release http://www.ksgovernor.org/news/docs/news_rel120403.html

* Wind and Prairie Task Force http://www.kansasenergy.org/sercc_wptf.htm