In addition to the recent explosion of letters to the editors of papers throughout eastern and central Kentucky, the campaign to halt the coal-burning Smith plant has also shown up elsewhere in the media. A few days ago, Father John Rausch, KFTC member from Powell County, and one of the folks who are petitioning the Public Service Commission to revoke EKPC's original, and now invalid, approval for the plant, published an op-ed piece in the Lexington Herald-Leader. He detailed his reasons for opposing this ill-conceived power plant and why he chose to be among the folks taking legal actions to stop it. Here is his reflection in its entirety. After reading it, consider writing a letter to the editor of the H-L, showing your support for Fr. John, co-op ratepayers who are already paying too much for EKPC's poor decisions, and for a cleaner Kentucky. (Details on how to submit your letter below).

Rethink Clark County plant

By John S. Rausch

On Oct. 28, I joined Wendell Berry and others to petition the Kentucky Public Service Commission to revoke the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity granted to the East Kentucky Power Cooperative to build a coal-fired electrical plant in Clark County.

I live approximately 10 miles east and downwind of the proposed Smith plant. As a member of Clark Energy Cooperative, I feel awkward taking action against our own second-tier co-op.

Yet I hope our petition will ultimately enhance the excellent service our co-ops have historically provided to Eastern Kentucky.

We need to re-examine our direction, in light of health and environmental concerns and renew our purpose to better the community. I offer three considerations concerning the proposed coal-fired plant.

First, generating electricity from coal is problematic. Evidence about the ill health effects of burning coal is mounting. The Environmental Protection Agency found, and other studies confirm, that fine particle pollution from coal-fired power plants causes more than 20,000 premature deaths per year. Other health effects include respiratory illnesses, heart attacks and brain damage. The data are readily available. Groups like the American Lung Association and Physicians for Social Responsibility cite the studies.

"Our current economic crisis came from quick profits without regard to community. The cardinal virtue of prudence dictates that when we can meet our electric needs through greater efficiency or renewable and sustainable methods, we choose them."

More regulation of coal-fired plants and increases in operating costs appear inevitable as we grapple with health and environmental issues. This 19th century technology will eventually yield to the renewable energy technologies of the 21st century, which will cost less in the long run.

Second, as a co-op, community comes first. Because co-ops are membership organizations, they seek to serve their members with a social vision. Cooperatives from their founding, a full generation before the abolition of slavery in the U.S., practiced the principle of open membership which forbids discrimination by race, religion, nationality, gender or other incidental factor.

The principle of one person, one vote (not one stock share, one vote) makes money the servant, not the master, of co-op decision making. And, the promotion of education seeks to share information that leads to a better society.

Given this social vision intended to empower members and enhance the local community, how can we justify using fuel from sources like coal waste piles, tires and possibly mountaintop removal coal mining? Teaching members ways of conserving energy and investing in renewable energy sources better fulfills our co-op's social vision.

Finally, a renewed economy depends on high moral and ethical standards. Our current economic crisis came from quick profits without regard to community. The cardinal virtue of prudence dictates that when we can meet our electric needs through greater efficiency or renewable and sustainable methods, we choose them.

Generating electricity while endangering the health of others is a violation of the common good of the present generation, but destroying the environment violates the common good of future generations.

Also, the poor, the low income and those without health insurance will remain the most vulnerable to the sicknesses and diseases from the coal-fired plant's emissions, thus causing the greatest harm to the least among us.

In Catholic theology, violations of social justice like this fall under the Commandment, "Thou shalt not steal," because a violation of the common good is theft from all.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative has an opportunity to lead into a new era. We don't need to walk in the dark, though we can turn off unnecessary lights.

Coal miners will still have jobs, though their sons and daughters will find different employment. Green technology will create employment, but we'll need the proper investment.

For these reasons, I petition the Public Service Commission to revoke the certificate of need to encourage the utility to renew its vision of community service that promotes a healthy environment and fulfills its co-op vision.

The Rev. John S. Rausch, a Glenmary priest, lives in Stanton.

 It's easy to submit a letter to the editor of the Lexington Herald-Leader in support of Father John's op-ed. At this link, simply fill out your contact information and post your 250-word or less letter in the "Questions or Comments" field. Editors generally like to publish punchy, to-the-point pieces, and pieces that referred to previous articles published in the paper or that state how an issue relates personally to the author.

If you would like some more background on this campaign before writing your letter, click here. Since the PSC still hasn't made any move on this petition, it might be helpful in your letter to ask that the Attorney General weigh in on the side of the ratepayers and plaintiffs. It would be good for the AG's office to hear that folks think this is an important issue worthy of their attention, and that they are urged to take action.

Stay tuned to this blog for another great piece in the media about this campaign...