March 21, 2008—Westar Energy, the largest electric utility in Kansas, recently published a comprehensive energy plan that stresses energy efficiency, improving transmission, and developing renewable energy sources rather than constructing new coal plants.
Westar says that its long-term plan, “Meeting Our Customers’ Energy Needs: A Strategic Plan for Uncertain Times,” reflects today’s rapidly changing financial, environmental, and political climate and trends.
The utility says its long-term strategy is to defer as long as possible constructing a new conventional coal plant, but to maintain existing coal plants and make substantial investments in them to improve their environmental performance. Westar also plans to extend the operating life of its existing nuclear generation.
