TOPEKA — Judge Steven L. Hornbaker of the 8th judicial district has been appointed to sit with the Kansas Supreme Court to hear oral arguments in one case on the court's 9 a.m. docket Thursday, January 28.
After hearing oral arguments, Hornbaker will join Supreme Court justices in their deliberations and opinion drafting.
"I am pleased that Judge Hornbaker is taking time from his duties in the 8th judicial district to sit with the Supreme Court," said Chief Justice Lawton R. Nuss. "It's a great help to our court and we look forward to his contributions deliberating this case."
Hornbaker has been a judge for 16 years in the 8th judicial district, which is made up of Dickinson, Geary, Marion, and Morris counties.
"I am honored to be asked to sit with the Supreme Court to hear this important case," Hornbaker said. "I have great respect for our Supreme Court and am thrilled to have this opportunity."
Before becoming a judge, Hornbaker practiced law in Junction City for 27 years. He is a graduate of Washburn University School of Law School, and he has been married to his wife, Sue, for 38 years. They have one son, Andy.
All Supreme Court oral arguments are webcast live through the Watch Supreme Court Live! link in the right-hand column of the Kansas Judicial Branch website at www.kscourts.org.
The case Hornbaker will hear is the first one scheduled on the Supreme Court's 9 a.m. docket Thursday, January 28:
Appeal No. 112,008: Sierra Club v. Susan Mosier, M.D., in her official capacity as Secretary of Kansas Department of Health and Environment, et al.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: This is an administrative appeal from orders made in response to Sunflower Electric Cooperative's application for a permit to construct a generating unit in Holcomb. Sierra Club now seeks a review of the supplemental administrative order issued by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment that would authorize Sunflower to build an 895-megawatt coal-fired electric generating unit and associated equipment in Holcomb. At KDHE's request, the appeal was transferred to the Kansas Supreme Court for direct review.
Issues on appeal are whether KDHE may issue a permit without: 1) ensuring that it will comply with all existing national ambient air quality standards; 2) adequate emissions limits for hazardous air pollutants; and, 3) emissions limits for greenhouse gases.