McGinn named to lead joint committee on energy

This story first appeared in the Aug. 11 edition of the Kansan.

Senate President Steve Morris has appointed Sen. Carolyn McGinn, R-Sedgwick, to chair the newly formed Senate-House Joint Committee on Energy and Environmental Policy.

“Sen. Carolyn McGinn has the skills to start a process to ensure Kansas is able to meet future energy demands. She has proven to be a leader and cares about environmental issues that affect every Kansan. I have great confidence this committee will generate significant recommendations for consideration by the 2009 Legislature. Energy policy will be one of the top priorities through the foreseeable future,” Morris said.

Until the Joint Committee becomes statutorily authorized on Nov. 10, McGinn will chair an interim committee with a nearly identical charge authorized by the Legislative Coordinating Council.

“This committee will be instrumental in setting the course for the future energy policy of the state of Kansas,” McGinn said. “We must study and recommend the best options for a long term comprehensive energy plan that keeps our state independent, is affordable to home and business owners, and focuses on being a good steward of the environment for future generations. While renewables will play an important role, all sources of energy must be part of the solution.”

Senate Bill 586 introduced in the 2008 Legislative Session provided for the creation of the Joint Committee on Energy and Environmental Policy, an 11-member bipartisan committee.

The committee is made up of five members of the Senate appointed by the president and the minority leader, and six members of the House of Representatives appointed by the speaker of the House and the minority leader.

The committee is authorized to introduce legislation and will submit a report before Dec. 31 each year, with any findings it deems necessary concerning energy and environmental policy, to the Legislature and to standing committees assigned to utility, energy, environment and natural resources issues.

The LCC added to the interim committee's charge a mandate to review the distribution and transportation of fuels in Kansas, including the effect on gasoline and diesel prices within the state. The committee also is to study electric transmission capacity in Kansas and make recommendations that will facilitate timely enhancement of transmission capacity.

Because the bill specified the committee would not begin until November 2008, the LCC made the decision to appoint a special interim committee with much the same charge as the new standing joint committee. Under the special interim committee, work and study in these critical energy areas can begin right away.

McGinn is in her first four-year term in the Kansas Senate.

She chairs the Senate Natural Resources Committee, serves on the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Education Committee, and is a member of the Joint Committee on Kansas Security.

The 31st Senate District includes Harvey County and part of Sedgwick County.