Big Sandy | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

Chapter: Big Sandy

If you want to find new ways to strengthen the economy, hold elected officials accountable, and be a part of a great community of folks, then we invite you to join the Big Sandy Chapter of KFTC. The Big Sandy chapter includes Floyd, Pike, Johnson, Martin, and Magoffin counties.

Our members have a vision for the Big Sandy area where the economy, democracy, people and land are healthy. To bring about this vision, we organize an annual day of workshops around sustainable agriculture, forestry, efficiency and renewable energy solutions called Growing Appalachia and offer mini-workshops throughout the year. We are also involved in protecting our land and water resources by raising awareness about water quality in Eastern Kentucky. We also work to educate the community on issues of economic justice and voter empowerment.

We hope you will join us at our next chapter meeting and share some of your ideas on how we can work together to bring about our vision of a healthier Kentucky!

Recent Activities

RECLAIM Act is approved by U.S. House committee

Appalachian Citizens Law Center on May 2, 2019 in Coal and Water, New Energy and Transition, Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, Big Sandy, , Cumberland, , Harlan County, , Perry County, , Western Kentucky, Congress, , RECLAIM Act

After reintroduction in April, the bipartisan RECLAIM Act was debated and voted on during the May 1 House

ORSANCO work continues, hearings in early April

Joe Gallenstein on March 29, 2019 in Coal and Water, Big Sandy, , Jefferson County, , Northern Kentucky, , Rolling Bluegrass, , Rowan County, , Western Kentucky, Water Quality

For more than a year, KFTC has worked with allies to protect the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission’s (ORSANCO) mission to clean and protect the Ohio River through monitoring and enforcement. This commission, made up of representatives of the federal government and 8 members states (New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois) of ORSANCO maintains pollution control standards that are higher than the EPA or state enforcement agencies.

While these standards have not solved the Ohio River’s pollution issues, it has made considerable progress since the founding in 1948. Yet some political appointees in ORSANCO want to make these essential standards optional for states to enforce, giving states the ability to ignore damage to our water systems that disproportionately impacts lower income people and people of color across the region.

Water Justice Field Hearing

Joe Gallenstein on February 4, 2019 in Coal and Water, Big Sandy, , Jefferson County, , Northern Kentucky, , Rolling Bluegrass, Climate Justice, , coal ash, , Empower Kentucky, , Leadership Development, , Water Quality

More than 110 people turned out on February 2 to affirm the need for clean and safe drinking water.

Kentuckians act to support miners with black lung disease

KFTC staff on November 29, 2018 in Coal and Water, Voting Rights, Just Transition, Big Sandy, , Cumberland, , Harlan County, , Perry County, Black Lung, , Congress, , RECLAIM Act

Kentuckians took action today in Washington, DC and London, Kentucky to urge Senator Mitch McConnell and other members of Congress to do right by coal miners with bl

Fixing What's Broke: why Congress must support a Just Transition for miners with black lung and communities

Lisa Abbott on October 21, 2018 in Coal and Water, Economic Justice, New Energy and Transition, Just Transition, , Community Science & Public Health, , Energy Democracy, , Mountaintop Removal and Strip Mining, , Sustainable Energy, Big Sandy, , Cumberland, , Harlan County, , Perry County, , Rowan County, , Western Kentucky, Black Lung, , Climate Justice, , Congress, , Empower Kentucky, , Federal tax policy, , I Love Mountains Day, , Knott County, , Mine Safety, , OSM - Office of Surface Mining, , Power Plants, , RECLAIM Act

A new report from KFTC describes ways Kentuckians are organizing to demand action from Congress – and especially from Senator Mitch McConnell – in support of a Just Transition for miners with black lung disease, retired and laid off miners, and their communities.

To build a new economy in coal communities, the report says Congress should start by "fixing what's broke," including strengthening funding for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, passing the RECLAIM Act, and protecting miners' pensions.

Page

Chapter Feature:

Growing Appalachia

Growing Appalachia
 
Growing Appalachia is a day of workshops about small-scale farming, energy efficiency, and renewables. We hope to provide promising, sustainable ideas people can use to save/earn money or even start a small business! This conference open to anyone looking to broaden their skills. Learn more about the 2015 conference here.

Regular Meetings:

Prestonsburg Office
152 North Lake Drive
United States
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
Monthly chapter meeting

Join us on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m. for the Big Sandy chapter meeting.

Chapter meetings are a great time to plan local work, discuss local and state-wide work, meet new people, and much more. Everyone is welcome and invited to attend! Hope to see you there!

Chapter Organizer:

152 North Lake Drive
Prestonsburg, KY 41653
606-263-4982

Other Pages