Westar Energy adopts climate change policy

Source: Energy Digital

Date :9/11/2007 12:03:25 PM

Westar Energy, Inc. has adopted the Westar Energy Climate Change Policy, which provides a framework within which to make decisions that affect the environment.

"Our decisions today have an immediate and lasting impact on our customers and a long-term effect on the environment," Bill Moore, president and chief executive officer, says. "The electric utility industry is facing important issues, and we recognize the need for companies to be proactive in addressing climate concerns. We are taking that step forward."

Bill Eastman, director, environmental services, says, "Westar Energy recognizes the growing concerns regarding the threat of climate change and believes our industry must take a leadership role in this debate. It must be understood that climate change is a global issue requiring global solutions guided by sound science, objective engineering and our best economic information."

Accompanying the policy is a set of principles that outline actions Westar Energy will take regarding climate change, including efforts reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions, educating the public about climate change and energy efficiency and supporting constructive public policies and initiatives.

Westar Energy has energy calculators on its web site that allow customers to estimate the energy and financial savings of efficiency efforts they can take in their homes or businesses. Westar also plans to unveil a number of energy efficiency programs in 2008 in which customers may elect to participate. In addition, on Aug. 30, Westar Energy announced it had submitted a proposed agreement with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that includes projects to increase efficiency and reduce emissions at Jeffrey Energy Center.

"While our policy and principles are focused on greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, it is important to keep other environmental initiatives in our sights, too," Eastman says.

The agreement proposed to KDHE also is designed to meet the future requirements of the Clean Air Visibility Rule. Actions proposed to be taken in connection with the proposed agreement would significantly reduce emissions from Westar Energy's energy centers. Sulfur dioxide emissions would fall more than 60,000 tons per year, a more than 70 percent reduction. Nitrous oxide emissions would fall more than 20,000 tons per year, a nearly 50 percent reduction. Particulate emissions would fall nearly 3,000 tons per year, a reduction of more than 60 percent.