State energy plan proposal: a sustainable future or more dirty old power?

Posted by: jerry on November 19, 2008 at 07:00pm

Today Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear released a proposed State Energy Plan that KFTC members hope will be the start of a transitioning from old dirty power to a clean and sustainable energy future.

The plan puts a higher priority on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, as well as the growth of the bio-fuels industry. The plan calls for a 20 percent reduction from 1990 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

That also is the target date for generating 25% of Kentucky's energy needs from greater efficiency, conservation and use of renewable and alternative energy sources. This could create 30,000-40,000 jobs "as a result of a booming diversified energy sector,â€ Gov. Beshear said.

"This is an exciting time for Kentucky. We really do have the skills and work force to be part of this new green economy and create sustainable jobs," said Dana Beasley Brown, a member of the KFTC Economic Justice Committee. "I hope the governorâ€™s plan and the state as a whole can see the opportunity."

Unfortunately, these strategies seem to take back seat to Kentucky's continued unhealthy dependence on coal through large increases in the mining, burning and conversion of coal.

"[T]he governorâ€™s determination to heavily increase Kentuckyâ€™s dependence on coal-based fuels â€” presumably at taxpayer expense â€” sends out alarms that the health of Kentuckians, the economic impact on low-income families, and the preservation of our environment will not improve," said KFTC in a statement issued after the release of the plan.

These strategies include:

Develop a coal-to-liquids industry in Kentucky to replace petroleum-based liquids;

Implement a major and comprehensive effort to increase gas, including coal-to-gas in Kentucky;

Initiate aggressive carbon capture/sequestration projects for coal-generated electricity in Kentucky; and

The governor also wants to examine the use of nuclear power for electricity generation in Kentucky.

The proposed plan was created without input from citizens or industry groups, Beshear said at a morning press conference. He plans to meet with groups to win support for his ideas.

"This plan should just be the beginning of the process," said KFTC Executive Committee member Doug Doerrfeld. "He [the governor] needs to take this plan on the road and get input from Kentuckians. Itâ€™s just a starting point."

Read the governor's press release here.

Download a copy of the plan.

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