Report from the coal-to-liquid rally and press conference in Pikeville

Despite heat in the 90s, nearly 100 people came out to our rally and press conference against coal-to-liquid in Pikeville yesterday.  Our Land Reform Committee decided that it was important for us to present a visible opposition to the coal industry sponsored energy symposium yesterday.  So, while Senator Bunning was selling coal-to-liquid as vital to Homeland Security (because the US Air Force apparently needs liquid coal to use for fuel), members of KFTC and our allies spoke about how CTL will only create insecurity for people in the coalfields in the form of increased strip mining, especially mountain top removal mining.  Members also spoke passionately about how state and federal funds should not be used to prop up a dirty, economically unviable, non-renewable energy technology like CTL.  A number of allies from other organizations in several other states also came out in solidarity with us to demonstrate their opposition to CTL. 

We started the day at a city park in downtown Pikeville with some speakers and music (provided by KFTC member Barry Bowersock).  We then marched during the lunch hour over to the Landmark Inn where the energy symposium was being held.  After an hour or so of holding signs and handing out information to some passing cars, we had our press conference to make sure the media covered our side of the energy debate.

Here are some of the results of our press conference:

WYMT had the energy symposium as their lead story last night with lots of footage of members.

The News-Express in Pikeville also covered the symposium.  They will be presenting our side of the issue later in the week.

The Herald-Leader was there as well and got some quotes from Doug Doerrfeld and Jeff Chapman-Crane.

Here are some more photos from the day's events:

You can see many more photos from the event here.

Learn more about KFTC's campaign against coal-to-liquid here.