A hero’s nomination for Governor Sebelius

It wasn’t long ago that eco-activists called Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius a coward on environmental issues. When the controversy over massive new coal-fired power plants in western Kansas erupted in 2006, Sebelius was conspicuously MIA. 

How times have changed. At the 11th hour, Sebelius’ administration grew a pair and denied the power plants permit, provoking conservatives to hijack the legislative session in their attempts to reverse the decision. Even hung with the albatross of being anti-economic- development, Sebelius didn’t let Kansas Republicans shove a lame compromise down her throat. She might have tarnished her purple reputation with the partisan squabbling, but she did get a year-end nod from the environmental punditocracy.

Yesterday, the popular environmental Web site Grist released its list of Eco-Heroes of 2008, and Sebelius made the cut. The nominees include serious experts (climate-change scientist James Hansen) and tongue-in-cheek celebrity picks (Paris Hilton for her campaign ad spoofs). The winner will be chosen by readers, and early results have Sebelius among the top picks. But watch your back, guv. Even a popular governor could be toppled by Internet-organizing Hannah Montana fans. — Carolyn Szczepanski