Holcomb Station Expansion Project

Welcome to the Holcomb Station Expansion Project Web site. This site provides regularly updated information about the project, including the permitting and construction processes.

The expansion of Holcomb Station follows careful consideration and is in response to growing energy needs among electric cooperatives in Kansas and neighboring states. This demand requires the measured and efficient addition of baseload generation facilities. The new generation not only reinforces the region’s power supply needs, but the investment and creation of jobs from plant construction and operations will provide a solid tax and employment base for western Kansas.

The project is proposed for the 10,000-acre site of Sunflower Electric Power Corporation’s existing 360-megawatt Holcomb Station, located approximately four miles south of Holcomb, Kan. The project includes one additional supercritical pulverized coal unit, capable of generating 895 megawatts.

The units will be owned by generation and transmission cooperatives Sunflower Electric, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Association, Inc., and Golden Spread Electric Cooperative, Inc. Together, these wholesale power suppliers serve more than 1.5 million consumer-owners of 66 electrical cooperatives in seven states.

The Project will incorporate best available control technology (BACT) to minimize air emissions, and through the use of mercury controls, mercury emissions from the existing and new unit combined will be less than the current mercury emissions from the existing unit. Sunflower and Tri-State have a well-regarded history in operating environmentally compliant power plants.

Recent Headlines

Kansas legislature adjourns after OK of new power plant
May 9, 2009
Kansas lawmakers adjourned their 2009 session early Saturday morning after approving a deal to allow a western Kansas coal plant, extending some unemployment benefits and closing the state’s budget deficit.

Kansas Senate OKs single coal plant
May 8, 2009
Despite a lengthy last stand by a Lawrence senator, the state Senate easily approved a bill Thursday clearing the way for a long-delayed western Kansas coal-fired power plant.

Kan. Senate approves bill to seal coal deal
May 8, 2009
A bill pushed by Gov. Mark Parkinson to pave the way for a new coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas is halfway to his desk. The Senate approved it on a 37-2 vote Thursday night, sending the measure to the House, where leaders also expect little opposition when it comes up for a vote Friday.

Energy pact sent to House
May 7, 2009
The Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday night necessary to consummate the coal-plant development agreement negotiated by Gov. Mark Parkinson with a Kansas utility cooperative.

Kan. lawmakers working on bill to enact coal deal
May 6, 2009
Legislators promised Tuesday to move quickly to close a deal allowing a new coal-fired power plant in southwest Kansas, but a few of them expected to spend a day or two slogging through the details.

Kan. gov, utility CEO announce deal on coal plant
May 5, 2009
A western Kansas utility would be allowed to build a coal-fired power plant under a deal announced Monday that would end a 19-month dispute between the governor's office and the company.

Governor approves coal compromise
May 4, 2009
Kansas is now closer to a building a new coal-fired power plant after an agreement between Gov. Mark Parkinson and Sunflower Electric Power Corp.

Project Highlights

Best available control technology (BACT) will ensure air emissions are well within standards set by federal and state regulations

Advanced mercury control technologies to significantly minimize emissions

More than 270 direct and indirect full-time equivalent positions, earning approximately $15 million per year, to be added to the Kansas economy