By SARAH KESSINGER

Harris News Service

TOPEKA -- Gov. Kathleen Sebelius named a lineup of business and industry leaders Thursday along with scientists who specialize in climate change to begin planning the state's approach to an expected federal carbon tax.

Sebelius announced the new Kansas Energy and Environmental Policy Advisory Group just as the Legislature concluded a session that centered heavily on whether to allow construction of two coal-fired power plants in southwest Kansas.

The debate centered on the carbon emissions expected from the two plants. Carbon dioxide, considered a contributor to global climate change, is also the target of debate at the federal level. Dozens of proposals on how to limit its emission from power plants and automobiles are under consideration by Congress.

Sebelius said in a statement issued by her office that experts agree Congress is likely to introduce a tax on CO2 emissions in coming years, which could raise the price on energy made by burning fossil fuels. The new advisory panel will focus on that challenge in particular, she said Thursday.

"By taking steps to prepare now, we better position our state for potential costs in the future," Sebelius said. "This group will recommend ways we can reduce our greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to grow our economy."

Environmentalists have called on state and national leaders to develop a strategy for addressing the rising CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

"Coal's already 75 percent of our energy production in Kansas. Let's decrease it and decrease anything else that produces CO2," said Tom Thompson, Sierra Club lobbyist, as the legislative session concluded earlier this week.

"People need to sit down at a table and look at ways to get energy to people in the cleanest, most affordable way," he said. "We need energy efficiency, we need wind (energy), we need all kinds of things that don't add more carbon. People need to sit down and figure out what's the overall plan."

The group will be led by Jack Pelton, president and chief executive at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita.

Ex officio members include Ken Frahm, Colby, Kansas Energy Council co-chairman, and Mike Hayden, secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks at Atwood native.

The governor's new advisory panel will work with the Center for Climate Strategies, a Pennsylvania consulting firm that assists states in establishing climate action plans.

"I am confident that the combined expertise of this group will lead to innovative solutions across all sectors of Kansas industry, which helps every corner of our state," Sebelius said.

More members will be named to the panel, she said, as soon as legislative leaders make some appointments. The group will meet for the first time on May 20 in Wichita.

For a list of panel members, go to www.HDNews.net.