Communities Taking Action
All across the commonwealth, Kentuckians have a vision for New Power, with healthy communities, good jobs that don’t destroy our land and water, and a place where our children will want to stay and raise their families.
In counties where coal is mined, that means we have to work to protect ourselves, our neighbors and the land we love.
We know that “bomb and bury” mining, a disregard for workers and the lack of economic diversity is not the way to the future we want.
Working with the strength of a statewide organization behind us, we challenge mining permits that would poison our water and damage our homes. We bring folks together, such as at the annual Growing Appalachia conference, to discover new opportunities for an economic transition. And with the Benhan and Lynch Energy Project, we work to make our communities part of the growing clean energy economy.
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To take effective action, we need to know our rights. Here are some resources for knowing where we stand when a coal company wants to move into our community – or already has. Coalfield Survival Series (downloads)
Understanding the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
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Empowered to act!
There's a lot that KFTC members love about where we live. Here's some of the things we're doing to protect our communities and create the future we want and deserve.
Wilson Creek – when a coal company tried to fool and divide neighbors in order to gain leases to strip mine most of the hollow, the residents had a different vision for their community, and took action to hold the mining company at bay.
Benham and Lynch – residents in these communities are taking charge of their future, and that includes protecting their water source and historic landmarks from unwanted mining while working to create new energy options.
Lotts Creek – in an area with a generations-old resistance to abuse of the land and people from strip mining, the young people are leading the effort to name and protect that which they most value in their community.
Saving Black Mountain – this historic effort to save Kentucky's tallest peak from strip mining and logging also was led by local youth, and became a nationally recognized campaign resulting in a permanent agreement to protect this treasure.
Community Organizing and Water Testing – knowing what's in our water will provide critical information for protecting ourselves and our families, so we're learning to gather and use that information in new ways to empower our communities.
Mountain Witness Tours – often, what is allowed to happen in communities were coal is mined is something one has to see to believe. So KFTC members in eastern Kentucky host Mountain Witness Tours for people from all over the world.