"Kansas Gov's Comments Don't Quiet Coal Plant Fuss"

"TOPEKA, Kan. -- Environmentalists seeking more information about a top state regulator's abrupt departure reacted skeptically Tuesday to Gov. Mark Parkinson's promise that Kansas is conducting a fair and thorough review of plans for a new coal-fired power plant.

Environmental groups worry that Parkinson pushed Rod Bremby out as secretary of health and environment to ensure that the coal plant obtains a permit by year's end. The timing would allow the plant to avoid new federal rules taking effect Jan. 2 for greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming.

The governor said in a blog posting Monday that he's not pressuring the Department of Health and Environment to issue the permit and that the agency can take the time it needs. The posting came six days after Bremby, who previously rejected a permit for a larger coal-fired project by the same utility, left the agency."

John Hanna reports for the Associated Press November 9, 2010.