HB 537 — A Missed Opportunity

With billions of dollars of public and private money being invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency, creating thousands of jobs, one might think that Kentucky's elected officials would want the state to benefit from this unprecedented opportunity. Instead, judging  by the legislation introduced and making its way through the Kentucky General Assembly, subsidizing more dirty energy is what's most on the minds of our legislators.

House Bill 537 — the governor's energy bill — is the biggest offender. While it does direct the Energy Cabinet to develop renewable and efficiency policies and programs, it only suggests weak goals with no mandate or resources to meet them. But it’s very clear about giving preference to carbon-based fuels over clean energy through tax credits, and puts resources into a "carbon management legal issues study group" that among other mandates is supposed make recommendations on the "Avoidance of lawsuits based on nuisance, obstruction, and harassment." Exactly what do they have in mind for the people of Kentucky — besides giving us the "Liability for carbon dioxide leakage following sequestration"?

In a letter to all members of the Senate, KFTC Chairperson K.A. Owens wrote:

[HB 537] increases subsidies for the coal industry at a time when the rest of the nation and world are moving beyond fossil fuels.  The portions of the bill that focus on renewables and efficiencies are weak and non-codifiable, and, therefore, will not carry the weight of law.

He encourages senators to reject HB 537 and demand that the governor "come back next year with an energy plan that moves Kentucky forward by creating green jobs, sustaining our natural resources, and nurturing our communities." You can read Owens' letter here, and see KFTC's flyer about HB 537 here.

Then there’s House Joint Resolution 116 that gives infrastructure projects related to coal-to-liquid plants priority for funding over any other infrastructure needs a community may have. And HJR 126 supports using federal stimulus money for coal sequestration experiments, but there is no similar support for clean energy projects.

What we have is a real Missed Opportunity to position Kentucky to take maximum advantage of the rapidly emerging green energy economy while reducing harm to our health, communities and climate caused by dirty energy production and use.

ACTION:  HB 537 is now before the full Senate after passing out of committee last night. It could come up before the full Senate as early as Tuesday afternoon. Please call your state senator as soon as possible today.

MESSAGE:  House Bill 537 is a missed opportunity. Reject HB 537 and tell the governor to come back with a real energy plan.

Legislative Message Line:  800-372-7181
The operator can help you figure out who your senator is if you're not sure.

If you want to contact Gov. Beshear to let him know how disappointed you are that he is not taking leadership with clean energy initiatives, here is his contact information:

Governor Steve Beshear
700 Capitol Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
502-564-2611
502-564-2517 (fax)
502-564-9551 (TDD)
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