FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
May 22, 2010
Contact: Billy Valentine
620-273-8400, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Wasinger Slams Huelskamp, Barnett on EPA Amendment
Calls on the Topeka duo to put job creation above politics

COTTONWOOD FALLS -- Today, Rob Wasinger, Republican candidate for Congress in the first district of Kansas, criticized State Senators Tim Huelskamp and Jim Barnett for supporting a Huelskamp-sponsored amendment that could result in the EPA taking over regulatory authority from the state of Kansas and jeopardizing Sunflower Electric's Holcomb Station Expansion Project. The state of Kansas has the power to regulate utilities, but the poorly written amendment by Huelskamp and supported by Barnett would give the power to the EPA, costing Kansas both jobs and regulatory authority over its utilities. Both Sunflower Electric and Westar Energy are opposed to the Huelskamp amendment.

"If signed by the governor, the poorly drafted Huelskamp amendment would incorrectly give the EPA regulatory authority over our utilities and could shut down job creating projects such as Sunflower's plant expansion in Holcomb." said Wasinger. "I join Sunflower Electric and Westar Energy in urging the Governor to veto the Huelskamp amendment and call on Huelskamp and Barnett, both part of the Topeka establishment which boasts a meager 26 percent approval rating, to stop the political grandstanding and put job-creation above their ambitions for a promotion to Congress. With the federal government looking to expand its power over our lives at every opportunity, there is zero room for rookie mistakes and ham-handed legislation like this."

A poll conducted by SurveyUSA in April 2010 on State Legislature approval can be viewed here.

Wasinger is a fourth generation Kansan who served Kansas as chief-of-staff to Senator Brownback. Wasinger resides in Cottonwood Falls with his wife, Meghan, and their nine children. The Wasingers are expecting another child this month.

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