For some reason, this is really surprising to me, especially with all of the FISA/SCHIP/etc. news continuing to drag down progressives across the country and world.
For those not following, Sunflower Electric Company has been trying for some time now to build two new coal powered electric plants near Holcomb, KS. They of course included all of the standard "clean coal" "good for the economy" "adds more jobs" PR in their application process (despite the fact that little, if any, of the energy produced would be used in Kansas, most was to be shipped to Wyoming and Colorado).
Today, however, Kansas Secretary of the Department of Health and the Environment Rod Bremby decided to reject the air quality permit.
Read the full press release here.
I cannot believe this. The application passed through the public comment period and it appeared that all was set for some good, clean coal to be processed right down the road from our house. I think the thing that made me smile most is the reasoning from Secretary Bremby:
"I believe it would be irresponsible to ignore emerging information about the contribution of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases to climate change and the potential harm to our environment and health if we do nothing."
In either case, check out the full press release linked above, just thought I would pass along the news.