KFTC coal ash campaign

The KFTC Coal Ash Campaign strives to help those affected by coal ash and coal-producing power plants in Kentucky. By building a base in areas where power plants have created highly toxic areas contaminated by coal ash, KFTC hopes to empower the Kentucky people, leading to the creation of laws that will produce a healthier community and environment.

Current work

Local: Neighbors of the coal ash landfill at the Cane Run power plant in Louisville has been dealing the the blowing of coal ash onto their homes and property for years. With allies, KFTC is supporting their efforts for a just solution to this neighborhood hazard and pressuring local and state official to deny permits for a major expansion of the toxic dump.

Statewide: Jefferson County Rep. Joni Jenkins is the sponsor a coal ash bill in the Kentucky legislature (House Bill 241 in the 2014 session). The bill demands emergency backup plans in the very possible event of a coal ash spill. It also would make proper coal ash containments, such as state-of-the-art liners that prevent the continuation of toxic chemical seepage into our ground and water supply, a prerequisite. House leaders have prevented that bill from getting a hearing.

National: KFTC is a party in a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency filed in April 2012  to get the agency to finalize rules to prevent public exposure to toxic coal ash. We've also joined with allies to oppose repeated attempts by the U.S. House of Representatives to block enforcement and streangthening of laws that protect the public from exposure to coal ash toxins.

Proposals for addressing our current coal ash health crisis

• phase out coal ash ponds (wet storage)
• eliminate coal ash production by transitioning to clean energy.
• hold LG&E and city accountable for properly addressing the threats from existing coal ash dumps
• stop the placement of coal combustion waste in groundwater
• require that all fills be lined and covered (composite liners, covers)
• require meaningful monitoring with clean up standards
• give a meaningful role to public participation in future expansions or siting
• support the Clean Energy Opportunity Act, a key way to help transition off coal and eliminate the generation of additional coal combustion waste
• regulate coal ash under a strengthened Subtitle C approach
• adopt a formal classification of coal ash as hazardous waste
• stop the filling of surface mines and the injection into deep mines with coal ash
• control the practice of “beneficial re-use” of coal combustion waste to eliminate exposure of the public
• move all existing ash to landfills that are safely lined, monitored and covered