Evergy Misfires on Climate Goal

TOPEKA, KS -- On Thursday, Evergy--which serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Kansas and Missouri-- announced goals of “reducing carbon emissions'' and becoming “more environmentally sustainable.” While the addition of 660 megawatts of wind power is encouraging, the utility’s plan also includes continued operation of the utility’s large fleet of coal plants until between 2040-2050 if not longer.

In response, Zack Pistora, Kansas Lobbyist for the Sierra Club, released the following statement:

“Evergy’s  goal is a flop. This announcement is uninspiring, and also unethical when you consider the cost of coal, both economically and environmentally. I do not see how our regulatory agency, let alone ratepayers and lawmakers, would find this senseless plan acceptable. The climate crisis requires coal-heavy utilities like Evergy to make serious changes, and scientists are clear that we have to stop burning coal by 2030 if we are going to have any chance of reducing the number of catastrophic wildfires, prolonged droughts, and flooding along our rivers from intense storms.

“Our current situation demands more than Evergy’s business-as-usual approach. While adding more wind energy makes sense, Evergy’s plan to continue burning coal risks saddling ratepayers with ever-increasing bills and the environment with more pollution. Even Evergy investor Elliott Management Corp has expressed concern about Evergy’s commitment to coal.

“Ultimately, without specific, concrete benchmarks and a clear plan for reaching them, Evergy is simply blowing smoke. Kansas should not take this Evergy pledge seriously until the utility returns with a true clean energy plan--one that acknowledges both the environmental and fiscal irresponsibility of continuing to burn coal for power in the twenty first century.”