Summit: Kentucky's Future Beyond Fossil Fuels

This event was inspired by the successful grassroots opposition to the proposed Bluegrass Pipeline in 2013-2014. While Williams and Boardwalk companies have suspended this project in Kentucky, they hold many easements along the swath of the pipeline and can exercise their option on those easements for up to three years. Fracking continues to boom northeast of the commonwealth and we remain in "pipeline alley" between the production to the north and the processing facilities to the south of us. In addition, Kinder Morgan and MarkWest companies continue progress on repurposing the Tennessee Gas Pipeline through Kentucky from natural gas to natural gas liquids. This decades-old pipeline is slated to begin transporting hazardous liquids in 2017. Affected counties include Greenup, Carter, Lewis, Rowan, Bath, Montgomery, Clark, Madison, Garrard, Boyle, Marion, Taylor, Greene, Hart, Metcalf, Barren, Allen and Simpson.

We hope that this summit will serve Kentuckians by supplying much needed information about this significant issue. Additionally, we hope that the summit will clearly articulate safe, renewable, and economically viable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

Sponsors of the summit include Kentucky Resources Council, Food and Water Watch, Kentucky Conservation Committee, Envision Franklin County, New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future, Dominican Sisters of Peace, Kentucky Heartwood, Sisters of Loretto, Earth Tools, Inc., Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, The Sisters of Mercy South Central Community, The Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, and Kentucky Waterways Alliance.

Registration:  8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.

Opening Session:  9 a.m. - noon

• Welcome and Overview: 10-15 minutes
• Keynote Speaker:  (Dr. O'Reilly)  about fracking with an international perspective; 45 minutes, then 15 minute Q & A
• Panel: (Pipelines, Fracking in KY) 40 minutes of presentations, then 20 min Q & A
• Invited Presenters:
• NGL pipelines -- Bob Pekny
• Geology/Karst -- Ralph Ewers
• Repurposed lines -- Dick Watkins
• Fracking in KY -- Tim Joice

• Speaker: (Looking Beyond Fossil Fuels)  30 minutes-- Andy McDonald

 
Lunch:   1.5 hours

Afternoon Session: 1:30-5:30 p.m.

Workshops: Breakout workshops from 1:30-3 p.m. and 3:15-4:45 p.m. with a 15-minute break in between with the same topics offered at each session so participants can attend at least two of what's offered.

Topics: 

• Local Protections - Zoning, etc.
• Easements and Landowner Rights
• Restoring Democracy and Working Effectively for Legislative and Political Change 
• Sustainable Energy
• Fracking, NGLs, and Repurposed Pipelines

Closing Speech:  5-5:30 p.m.   Sister Claire McGowan, Dominican Sisters of Peace

Volunteers Needed! Volunteers are needed to seek additional sponsorships, promote the event, and help the day of the event.  If you are interested please contact Chris Schimmoeller at [email protected] or 502-226-5751 x 1.