KU News Release

KU event links eastern and western Kansas for vital ‘State of the State’ discussion

LAWRENCE — How will global warming impact life in Kansas? Can agriculture survive? Will we have enough energy for home and work?

Kansas faces these and other essential questions of how to generate energy, guard the environment and grow the state economy. A gathering of experts and entrepreneurs will address these concerns at the 2007 State of the State Economic Policy Conference organized by the Institute for Policy and Social Research at the University of Kansas. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11.

“It’s essential to think about the future of Kansas,” said Steven Maynard-Moody, KU professor of public administration and director of the institute. “We bring together scientists, researchers and faculty to meet with government officials, community leaders and people in business. The focus this year is the intersection of our economic, energy and environmental future. It’s of immediate and long-term concern to the state.”

The event, titled “Kansas E3: Energy, the Environment & Economics,” takes place simultaneously at three locations: Level five of the Kansas Union on KU’s Lawrence campus; Pioneer Communications in Ulysses and the Northwest Kansas Library System office in Norton will be linked in real time by video conferencing technology, allowing these groups to view and hear each other during the program.

“We try to focus on different parts of the state with different perspectives and interests,” said Maynard-Moody. “A variety of views are essential to going forward. Ulysses has the headquarters of Pioneer Communications, a beautiful facility with the ability to broadcast and receive video.”

One panel will explore how energy and environmental policy may influence businesses in the state. Another will look at the ramifications of energy demands, resources and climate change for Kansas’ agriculture, population and environment.

“Most of the models have Kansas doing significantly worse in the future — drying out essentially,” said Johannes Feddema, a professor of geography at KU who will speak at the conference. “But we can kick-start industries because of climate change. Here in Kansas, we have the third-highest potential for wind power of any state. So we have an opportunity to take a leading role.”

Other subjects include the increasing national emphasis on renewable energy, opportunities for Kansas in ethanol and how the state in the future will move beyond oil and gas.

“We don’t shy away from controversy,” Maynard-Moody said. “We recognize the conflict between the economics of energy and our changing understanding of the impact of the way we produce energy on broader climate issues.”

Keteri Callahan, president of the Alliance to Save Energy, a nonprofit group based in Washington, D.C., that promotes energy efficiency worldwide, will give a keynote address.

Other speakers include Richard Lariviere, KU provost and executive vice chancellor; Steve Warren, interim vice provost for research and graduate studies at KU; Clare Gustin of Sunflower Electric Power Corp. in Hays; and Nick Hatcher, a farmer and director of Conestoga Energy Partners in Liberal.

The Grant County Chamber of Commerce and Pioneer Communications are co-sponsors of the event. In past years, the conference has addressed global trade, science and economy, and the structure of local government in Kansas.

For registration materials and more information, visit the conference Web site.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.