New Energy and Transition News | Kentuckians For The Commonwealth

New Energy and Transition News

Complex Market Forces Are Challenging Appalachian Coal Mining

October 6, 2014
ThinkProgress

Appalachia’s coal communities are confronting a confluence of market factors that are years in the making. This issue brief discusses some of the market challenges companies in the Appalachian coal industry face.

Stanley Sturgill's press statement at the People's Climate March

September 21, 2014 at 12:13pm

KFTC member Stanley Sturgill was one of the speakers representing frontline communities who spoke today at a press conference kicking off the People's Climate March in New York City. Here is his statement:

Kentuckians taking a Just Transition message to People’s Climate March

September 20, 2014 at 09:44am

Eastern Kentuckians participating in this weekend’s People's Climate March in New York City are carrying a clear message: We are at the forefront of the transition away from coal and we need to be put first as we go about building a new economy.

For Kimberly Shepherd, it’s about her daughter and her future. She is working toward a just economic transition so she can keep her family in the mountains.

“The solution is complicated. I don't think that there's one thing that can fix it, it'll take a lot of different things. But the resource we really have in Harlan County is our people and community,” said the Harlan County student and mother.

Massey, Sturgill honored as Appalachian Heroes

September 15, 2014 at 01:56pm

Two long-time KFTC members have been honored by the Appalachian Community Fund as Eastern Kentucky Appalachian Heroes.

About 80 people gathered on Friday, September 12, at the Eastern Kentucky Social Club in Lynch to honor Bennie Massey and Stanley Sturgill for their contributions to their community.

Both Sturgill and Massey live in Lynch and have been instrumental in efforts to protect their community from the impacts of coal mining and build a brighter future in the mountains. They are long-time members of the Harlan County chapter and have given their time and energy to other KFTC campaigns both inside and outside their region.

Moment of truth for Hal Rogers, SOAR: No ignoring health effects of strip mining

August 18, 2014
Lexington Herald-Leader

No mention of surface coal mining's effect on human health appeared in U.S. Rep. Hal Rogers' electronic update on the recent SOAR Health Impact Series even though it was one of the top two concerns voiced by participants …

Kentucky lawmaker praises EPA Clean Power Plan

July 31, 2014 at 12:26pm

Over the next few weeks we will share some of the powerful public statements made by Kentuckians to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the agency's proposed Clean Power Plan to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants. Below is testimony given at a hearing yesterday in Atlanta, Georgia by Joni Jenkins, who represents Kentucky's 44th House District in the state legislature.

Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.  My name is Joni Jenkins and I represent Kentucky House District 44 in the Kentucky General Assembly.  The 44th district is South of the Louisville, right on the banks of the Ohio River.

It is home to hard working, mostly blue collar, workers who strive everyday to raise their children for a brighter future. The 44th District is also home to 2 coal fired power plants with 2 coal ash landfills and coal ash ponds.  

Falling costs drive record solar and wind growth

July 15, 2014
IRENA Quarterly
The year 2013 was a landmark one for renewables. Despite fickle policymaking and weak economic growth, overall capacity additions remainedstrong, with solar deployment outpacing wind for the first time.

Kentuckians to EPA: Act on climate, protect health, support a Just Transition

July 30, 2014 at 02:09pm

Kentuckians in Atlanta for EPA climate hearing

Kentucky was well represented by grassroots voices at the first hearings held this week by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on the agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants.

Forty citizens from Owensboro, Bowling Green, Louisville, Lexington, Morehead, Berea, Burnside, Inez, Hazard and Whitesburg made the long drive from Kentucky to Atlanta, Georgia on July 28-29 to urge the EPA to strengthen the draft power plant rules. In addition, a KFTC member from Harlan County spoke at the EPA hearing in Denver, Colorado, along with allies from other Central Appalachian states.

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