Topeka — For her 14th birthday, Sarina Farb said she wanted to work against the proposed coal-fired power plants.

So the Lawrence teen, her mother and father, JoAnn and Joe, and sister, Samantha, 9, came to the Capitol on Tuesday to rally with others against legislation that would allow two 700-megawatt coal-burning plants in western Kansas.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has vowed to veto the bill, but legislative leaders have said they will try to override her veto.

“It’s a really bad idea all around,” Sarina said of the proposed project.

“It’s just going to add to global warming, and my generation is the one that is going to be the one to suffer the consequences,” she said.

Both she and her sister are home-schooled, and coming to the Capitol to speak with legislators was part of their education, her mother said.

The proposed plants would produce 11 million tons of carbon dioxide per year, but proponents of the project say it will be among the cleanest burning coal plants in the country and help revitalize the western Kansas economy.

Later, both Sebelius and Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson spoke at the rally. Organizers of “Kansas Clean Energy Day” said approximately 250 people attended events at the Capitol throughout the day.

Sebelius urged the crowd to contact their legislators to lobby against the bill.

“We are in the beginning of what needs to be a thoughtful, and careful and comprehensive conversation that will impact this state for generations to come,” the governor said.

The article can be found at http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2008/mar/12/residents_rally_sebelius_against_coal_plants/