The Southwest Power Pool says it has conducted studies estimating the cost of building and running new generation facilities to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s new Clean Power Plan would cost the region $3.3 billion annually if each state operates independently. But, it says, Kansas could save 40 percent of its costs by working with neighboring states to meet the federal EPA’s target for reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The group’s vice president of engineering, Lanny Nickell, says wind power will play a key role. "The vast supply of renewable wind energy resources within our footprint is going to provide the utilities that operate here a tremendous opportunity and advantage." Nickell said. The SPP study says wind resources in Kansas could contribute
more than the state needs to reach its emissions goal, allowing it to offset other states’ emissions. The EPA ruled last week that all states must cut power plant carbon emissions by 32 percent by the year 2030.
