Earl Watkins
Energy & Environment
Energy & Environment contains the interviews of individuals who were involved with the development and implementation of state energy and environmental policy from the 1970s through the early decades of the 2000s. The interviews elicit insights about the policy-making process, the assignment of priorities, and the give-and-take involved in reaching final policy decisions. Of special interest are instances in which Kansas developed singular solutions and means for implementing them. To explore this collection and others, visit the Kansas Oral History Project home page: https://ksoralhistory.org/
Earl Watkins, a Kansas native, retired as president and CEO of the Sunflower Electric Power Corporation (Sunflower) in 2012 having served in that role since 2004. Prior to becoming president and CEO, Watkins served as Sunflower’s general counsel. Before he began his career at Sunflower, Watkins was in the private practiced of law, co-founding the firm of Watkins Calcera, Chtd. in Great Bend, KS. Watkins attended the University of Kansas obtaining his undergraduate and law degrees there. After graduating from law school in 1973, Watkins served in the US Air Force Judge Advocate General Corp until 1977.
Earl Watkins recalls his years of work with Sunflower Electric Power Corporation, a generation and transmission (G&T) cooperative headquartered in Hays, KS. Watkins describes navigating between requirements to provide power to member-owners and requirements of lenders, regulators, and other policymakers. He paints a picture of the unique position of a G&T cooperative in an industry dominated by large investor-owned utilities serving primarily densely populated areas. He also reflects how the co-op business model serves well a sparsely populated portion of Kansas where self-reliance is an important element of the regional culture.
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