environment

A Kansas consumer advocate agency is saying that Westar Energy, Inc. can make necessary environmental improvements at its power plants with a smaller rate increase than it requested.

An attorney for the Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board filed testimony with the Kansas Corporation Commission yesterday, saying Westar could reduce its rate increase request by $1 million and still accomplish its goals.

CURB also argues against Westar's plan to shift the burden of the increase away from large businesses to residential customers.

Ash Grove Cement Company has agreed to pay a penalty and invest $30 million in new pollution control technology at its nine manufacturing plants, one of which is in Chanute, Kan. The settlement stems from charges that Ash Grove violated the Clean Air Act.

The Superfund National Priorities List now includes nine new sites, one of them where a smelter used to operate on the east side of Iola, Kan.

The EPA says the soil on hundreds of residential and commercial properties in and around Iola is contaminated with lead, arsenic, cadmium and zinc.

What is being called a "community sustainability" event will be part of the annual KidFest this Saturday in Expo Hall at Century II in downtown Wichita, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Green Zone will feature family-friendly activities in an effort to encourage people to conserve water, save energy, recycle, improve air quality and garden.

Free vehicle-emission testing will be available. 

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has awarded grants totaling nearly $83,000 to 27 of the state's public schools for recycling-related projects.

The department the grants were awarded for the next school year and will help pay for recycling bins, composting programs, programs for handling cafeteria waste and field trips to recycling centers. Schools from across the state won grants from $750 t0 $4500.

Nearby schools that won grants include: