TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - The House passes a bill allowing Sunflower Electric Power Corp. to build two coal-fired power plants in western Kansas.
The vote Friday was 79-44 - five votes short of the two-thirds needed to override a promised veto by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius. House Speaker Mike O'Neal, a Hutchinson Republican, said he will have the 84 votes when it comes time to override.
The bill overturns a decision by the Sebelius administration to deny an air-quality permit to the Hays-based utility over concerns about carbon dioxide emissions. It also deals with other issues and contains various "green" provisions to attract support from some lawmakers who aren't enthusiastic about coal plants.
Governor Sebelius released a statement saying she's confident her veto will hold:
"The vote today indicates that my veto can be sustained, and I am hopeful that legislative efforts can be focused on the critical budget issues that remain to be solved.
