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Topic: Southwest Power Pool (SPP)

Interview of Earl Watkins, December 19, 2023

Interviewed by Rex Buchanan and Mike Lennen
Earl Watkins recalls his years of work with Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative headquartered in Hays, KS. Watkins describes navigating between requirements to provide power to member-owners and requirements of lenders, regulators, and other policymakers. He paints a picture of the unique position of a G&T cooperative in an industry dominated by large investor-owned utilities serving primarily densely populated areas. He also reflects how the co-op business model serves well a sparsely populated portion of Kansas where self-reliance is an important element of the Show Moreregional culture. Show Less

Interview of Kimberly Svaty, May 14, 2024

Interviewed by Jim McLean
In this 2024 interview Kimberly Svaty describes the development of wind energy in Kansas. One of the early projects was a wind farm in Spearville; the significance of that project to the community was a donation agreement that continues to fund projects for the schools and community. She sees wind farms as the next generation of the Kansas energy economy. There are now 45 operating wind farms that use 60% of what is generated locally. Today, the lowest cost power is wind. She described Kansas is the Saudi Arabia of Wind. The interview covers Show Morewhy the push to build coal-fired powerplant in Holcomb didn't happen-- because markets stopped it. Svaty notes that 90% of energy in the Southwest Power Pool comes from wind--it is very reliable. She also discusses concerns about how the windmills are changing the view and how they dominate the landscape with their red flashing lights. She notes the FAA will be a factor in legislative attempts to change the rules. County commissions also have much control over wind development via zoning. The interview concludes with a discussion of solar energy and its potential impact and other clean energy sources such as Hydrogen. Svaty noted that construction has begun on the first 100-megawatt solar facility located in Barber County and that solar energy complements wind. Show Less

Interview of Carl Holmes, August 22, 2024

Interviewed by Rex Buchanan
This interview of former Representative Carl Holmes presents his perspective on the energy and environmental issues that were considered by the Kansas Legislature during his time in office -- 1985-2013. He traces at least some of his interest in the detailed workings of the energy industry to his youth when he spent time observing the oil and gas industry in far southwest Kansas. Holmes describes developing a point of view that encompasses the need for diversity in the types of energy available in Kansas and across the country and his growing concern for the security of energy infrastructure, Show Moreespecially after the attacks on the U.S. in September 2001. During this interview Holmes provides insights to his approach to chairing a legislative committee and his dedication to ensuring that his fellow committee members had at their disposal the information necessary to make sound policy decision. Some of those decisions included a 2006 multi-faceted energy bill that addressed many aspects of energy production including oil refining, pipelines, nitrogen fertilizer production, cellulosic ethanol production, integrated coal gasification, and power plants. Holmes discusses other complex issues including the controversy over plans to expand the Holcomb Power Station, addressing water pollution from a variety of industries, and underground storage safety issues, among others.

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

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Kelly Harrison

Interview of Kelly Harrison, September 17, 2024

Interviewed by Mike Lennen
This interview of Kelly Harrison, retired vice-president for transmission at Westar Energy, covers Harrison’s 37-year career in an evolving electric utility industry from the early 1980s through late twenty-teens and his contributions to transmission development in Kansas and the surrounding region. Harrison recalls his start in the industry working for Kansas Gas and Electric, headquartered in Wichita, KS, after his graduation from Wichita State University. He was involved in many changes in the transmission portion of the industry as federal regulations opened electricity markets to more participants and as regionalization of transmission placed states and individual utility companies in Show Morenew relationships with one another. Harrison saw his involvement with transmission expansion, regulatory affairs, and environmental issues as a way to use his education and his skills to help people. Harrison’s interview provides valuable insights into the development of the electric utility industry, the challenges of transmission expansion, incorporation of renewable energy sources, and the regulatory landscape. His experiences highlight the importance of collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning in ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future.

Highlights -- short excerpts from the interview

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