Sunflower Electric, a leading Kansas power company, has offered millions to Kansas State University for energy research โ that is, if the legislature approves its bid for new coal plants first. Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R) emphasized the large cash gift yesterday as he urged his colleagues to approve theย plants:
Neufeld, R-Ingalls, noted the plantโs developers, Sunflower Electric Power Corp., have entered into a memorandum of understanding to pay $2.5 million to Kansas State University over 10 years for energy research if the plants getย built.
If Sunflower Electric doesnโt get state permits to build by June 1, thereโs no deal with KSU, according to the memorandum of understanding, which was distributed to all House members for theirย perusal.
State Rep. Paul Davis (D) said such a bribery scheme was โin poorย taste.โ
