AMARILLO, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 24, 2006--Xcel Energy has issued a request for proposals for about 40,500 megawatt-hours of annual renewable energy or renewable energy certificates to be generated from renewable technologies other than wind turbines.

MONTEZUMA - Wind-powered energy farms can get too much of a good thing.

NORTH NEWTON, KAN. – After two years of traveling and stays in 12 galleries around the state, “Homage to the Flint Hills,” an exhibit of 37 pieces of art (mostly paintings and photographs), will make its last stop at Bethel College’s Kauffman Museum March 14-May 31.

Ford County will soon be able to harness the Kansas wind with the construction of a wind farm north of Spearville.

"Homage to the Flint Hills," an exhibit of 37 paintings and photographs inspired by the Flint Hills of Kansas, is now touring across the state and will be at the Erman B. White Gallery on the campus of Butler Community College from Feb. 3 - March 4. An opening reception will be held on February 4 from 3 -6 p.m.

The regulations also have guidelines to follow. Among the guidelines is limiting location. Wind turbines cannot be placed in the following: areas that have potential for biological and/or environmental conflicts, where there are large and intact areas of native vegetation, in places that would interfere with important wildlife movement corridors and staging areas, sites that are readily visible from state-designated scenic byways or popular vistas, sites that require construction activities on steep slopes and sites with potentially sensitive cultural or historical resources.

Bill Griffith, chairman of the Sierra Club in Kansas, said conservation was the least costly form of new energy and held the most realistic potential for moderating short-term natural gas and electricity prices.

This means, said Anderson, that they are seeking to impose a requirement that all companies purchase a certain amount of their energy from this renewable source. “The problem is that no one wants to buy the energy they are producing because of the high cost involved,” said Anderson. “However, they are pushing hard and I don't know at this time whether they will be successful or not.”

Commissioner Duane Patrick brought up the “elephant in the room” in regard to wind farms in Kansas and the payment in lieu of taxes issue.

SPEARVILLE Ñ Kansas State Representative Pat George said Saturday he has "heard talk" that the proposed new wind farm to be constructed near Spearville Ð "the City of Windmills" Ñ eventually will double in size.

"We would rather the market prevail," said Dave Holthaus, lobbyist for Kansas Electric Cooperatives. "If indeed wind energy is cost effective, we'll be buying it like any other utility."

Missouri Commissioner of Securities David Cosgrove has issued a cease and desist order against Krystal Planet Corp. and its executives for allegedly selling unregistered securities and deceiving investors.

Nov. 30--LINDSBORG -- Three opponents of large-scale wind farms explained their reasons Tuesday night in Lindsborg to a group of about 50 people.

LINDSBORG — Three opponents of large-scale wind farms explained their reasons Tuesday night in Lindsborg to a group of about 50 people.

But Larry Patton, a landowner in Chase County who opposes wind farms and operates the "Protect the Flint Hills" Web site, said the project is even worse than people feared. "I think most people I talk to agree that it's more industrial than most thought it was going to be," he said. "It just dominates that landscape out there."

Event will build on tourism potential of the Flint Hills

Dr. Lee Allison, director of the science and energy policy office for Governor Kathleen Sebelius, presented information on a topic that is circulating much controversy these days in McPherson County -- wind energy.

Turbines are starting to spin in southeast Butler County, Kansas. Source: El Dorado Times

Rose Bacon, member of the Governor's Energy Task Force and a rancher who owns property in the Flint Hills, spoke about the vulnerability of communities facing proposals from international companies that want to build commercial wind farms in rural areas. She pointed to the lack of “teeth” in regulations, and the attractive tax write-offs granted to wind energy companies, and the inexperience of local officials in dealing with such monstrous deals, depicting a state-wide scenario akin to the “wildcatter days in the oil business.”

“America can't afford to have an energy policy that's tailored to what's "in" politically. We need to focus our efforts on expanding meaningful alternatives to fossil fuels that can have a major impact on achieving energy security and reducing global warming.”