News

6/3/2010

Sunflower to host two Holcomb expansion project open houses

Hays, Kan.—June 3,2010— Sunflower Electric Power Corp. will host two open houses for the general public to learn more about the Holcomb expansion project. The first will be held on June 7 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Holcomb High School, 600 North Jones Ave., Holcomb, Kan. The second will be held on June 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 723 Main Street, Great Bend, Kan.

“These events will feature information booths at which people can ask specific questions about the project,” said Cindy Hertel, Sunflower’s communication coordinator. “This project has widespread benefits across the state, and we hope people will come out to discuss those benefits with the project partners and participants.”

Representatives from six Kansas trade and construction unions will also be present to explain the jobs associated with constructing a power plant. Those in attendance will include the Plumber and Pipe Fitters Local Union No. 441, Iron Workers Local Union No. 24, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 304, Boilermakers Local Union No. 83, International Union of Local Operating Engineers No. 101, and Construction and General Laborers Local Union No. 1290.
“The Holcomb expansion project will be the largest construction project in the state, employing many types of workers at different skill levels. Attending an open house is a great way for people to become informed about the jobs this project will necessitate,” said Rich Taylor, president of the Kansas State Building Trades.

Sunflower and the Council signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in January 2009 giving priority during construction to union contractors and/or subcontractors who have appropriate labor agreements with local Kansas labor organizations. The MOU will also give priority for employment to craft personnel residing in Kansas.

During the 48-month construction period, it is estimated that the 1,900 construction workers will earn more than $121 million and spend more than $8 million on food and lodging. At full operation the project will add more than 70 full-time workers at Holcomb Station and 136 indirect full-time equivalent positions across the state, jobs that will generate more than $9 million in annual wages.

On May 4, 2009, Gov. Mark Parkinson and Sunflower announced a two-part compromise. The first part of the compromise consists of legislation that established policies to advance renewable energy and to restore regulatory certainty. The second part of the compromise is a settlement between the state of Kansas and Sunflower, allowing Sunflower to move forward in the permitting process for the Holcomb expansion project.

In January Sunflower submitted updated materials with additional analyses in response to new regulatory requirements to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). After the KDHE staff completes its review of the refreshed application, a new draft construction permit will be issued for continued public comment. A final public hearing on the permit application is expected to be held late this summer.

About Sunflower—Sunflower Electric Power Corp. is a regional wholesale power supplier that operates a 1,275 MW system of wind, gas, and coal-based generating plants and a 2,300-mile transmission system for the needs of its six member cooperatives that serve more than 400,000 customers living in central and western Kansas. Visit Sunflower’s website at http://www.sunflower.net
Sunflower’s member cooperatives include Lane-Scott Electric Cooperative, Dighton; Pioneer Electric Cooperative, Ulysses; Prairie Land Electric Cooperative, Norton; The Victory Electric Cooperative Association, Dodge City; Western Cooperative Electric Association, WaKeeney; and Wheatland Electric Cooperative, Scott City, Kansas.

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