Gov. Kathleen Sebelius Pushes Energy "Made in America"

What made you decide to host the first Pickens Plan Town Hall Meeting in Topeka last July?
Kansas has had a strong connection to T. Boone Pickens.

In what way?
Kansans are familiar with his strategic vision and his bold ideas. It dates back to when Mesa Petroleum merged with Hugoton Production in 1969.

It’s no coincidence that Boone came to Kansas 40 years ago looking for energy, and he’s finding new opportunities there even today.
We’ve always had assets in traditional energy sectors like oil and gas, but now we recognize the tremendous potential for wind energy as well. As a country we need to harness this more effectively. It’s a huge opportunity, and our state is already taking a leadership position in one of the great waves of the future.

How so?
In 2006, we established a program to have 20 percent of the state’s energy come from wind and solar and other renewable sources. Our first goal was to get 10 percent by 2010, and we achieved this in 2008, two years ahead of schedule.

Was this mandated through legislation or regulations?
Not at all, and that’s the message I’ve been trying to deliver. This was done as a collaborative effort much like the one Boone has been talking about through the Pickens Plan. It involved private industry, major utilities, research universities, and private citizens. And the timing couldn’t be better. A wonderful convergence is occurring, one that can aid our economy while increasing our national security. It’s part of the pivot America needs to make.

You’re a Democratic governor in a Republican state. Was it difficult to shepherd such a broad-based initiative?
Not at all. Boone has made in very clear across the country that if this discussion becomes a partisan debate, it will fail. If we can do it here in Kansas, and we have managed to make significant strides, then Americans can do it nationwide. We are a heartland example of what needs to happen inside the Beltway. There could be no more important initiative than affordable, sustainable energy.

INTERVIEW CONDUCTED, CONDENSED, AND EDITED BY ERIC O’KEEFE