News Release, Kansas Geological Survey, Feb. 9, 2004
LAWRENCE--The task force dealing with issues of siting wind-power facilities in the Flint Hills will hold its next two meetings on February 20 and 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., in Topeka.
The February meetings of the Wind and Prairie Task Force will include presentations on the economic development impact of wind energy, eco-tourism in the Flint Hills, the impact on birds and other wildlife, and electrical transmission issues.
The task force is part of the State Energy Resources Coordination Council, chaired by Lee Allison, director of the Kansas Geological Survey.
According to the task force co-chairs Jerry Karr and Jerry Lonergan, these "working meetings" are designed to give task force members a basic understanding of the breadth of issues they will address in the upcoming months. The task force will hold public hearings at a later date.
The February meetings are open to the public and will be held at the SRS Learning Center, Room C, 2600 SW East Circle Drive. Detailed agendas will be posted on the Task Force web site (http://www.kansasenergy.org/sercc_wptf.htm).
The Task Force was created at the request of Governor Kathleen Sebelius. It is charged with making recommendations to help Flint Hills communities in the decision-making process related to the siting of wind-energy projects and preservation of the tallgrass prairie. Because the task force's report will have direct application and value to communities across the state, the Governor expanded the task force's charge, asking it to examine the issues on a statewide basis.
The Task Force is co-chaired by Jerry Karr, Emporia, a member of the Kansas Senate from 1980 to 1998, and Jerry Lonergan, Topeka, President of Kansas Inc., the state's economic development research and policy agency.
Members of the Task Force are Rose Bacon, rancher, Council Grove; Claude Blevins, county zoning administrator, Alma; Sheila Frahm/John Strickler, Natural Resource Legacy Alliance, Colby/Manhattan; Jan Jantzen, Kansas Flint Hills Adventures, Emporia; Jim Ludwig, Westar Energy, Topeka; Alan Phipps, county commissioner Matfield Green; Alan Pollom, The Nature Conservancy, Topeka; Richard Porter, rancher, Reading; Scott Ritchie, rancher/businessman, Wichita; Richard Seaton, Audubon of Kansas, Manhattan; Jennifer States, wind developer, Lawrence; Don Stephens, rancher, Severy; Joe Stout, rancher, Cottonwood Falls; David Yearout, planning consultant, El Dorado; and Monty Wedel, county planner, Manhattan.
Members serving in a technical advisory capacity are Charles Benjamin, attorney, Lawrence; Niki Christopher, attorney, Lawrence; Ryan Dyer, Potawatomi tribe, Mayetta; Bruce Graham, Kansas Electric Power Cooperatives, Topeka; Mike Irvin, Kansas Farm Bureau, Manhattan; Ward Jewell, professor of electrical engineering, Wichita State University, Wichita; Ed Martinko, State Biologist, Lawrence; and Robert Robel, professor emeritus of biology, Kansas State University, Manhattan.
More information about the Task Force and its activities is available online (http://www.kansasenergy.org/sercc_wptf.htm).