News of KFTC and our issues
EPA sues coal companies, alleges burying streams without permits
June 7, 2012
Frasure Creek Mining, one of the largest mountaintop removal companies operating in Kentucky, has been sued by the U.S. EPA for burying more than 2 mles of streams at two eastern Kentucky mining operations without permits to do so.
Surface Coal Mines Failing to Keep Kentucky’s Waters Clean
June 6, 2012
Forty years after the passage of the Clean Water Act, it is still not being fully implemented and enforced by the states, a fact that is readily apparent here in Kentucky.
Coal losing favor as energy source for electric plants
June 4, 2012
A survey of more than 500 electric utility executives showed a dramatic drop from just a year ago in the number who believe coal has a long-term future. The report estimates that as many as 450 coal-burning power plants could be decommissioned by 2020 as utilities embrace cheap natural gas and deal with aged power plants and the need to curb high pollution levels.
Kentucky is No. 1 in delinquent fines for mine-safety violations
May 28, 2012
Coal companies operating in Kentucky are delinquent in paying more than $29 million in fines for mine safety violations – some dating back nearly 20 years – including violations that led to the deaths of miners. The analysis by The Courier-Journal found that many companies continue to operate and get new permits while their fines go unpaid.
Cheap Natural Gas Causes Drop in Coal
May 14, 2012
Electricity generation in the U.S. from coal took a dramatic drop in in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the first quarter of 2011. According to new figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, coal made up 36 percent of U.S. electricity — down from 44.6 percent in the first quarter of 2011.
OSMRE threatens takeover of Ky. bonding program
May 7, 2012
The Office of Surface Mining, the federal government’s top coal mining regulator, is threatening a partial takeover of Kentucky’s regulatory program for abandoned mine reclamation …
Administration slapped by court; Clean Water Act not written for coal
May 2, 2012
In a unanimous rebuff of the Beshear administration's environmental cabinet, the Kentucky Supreme Court has upheld citizens' rights to be heard in clean water enforcement actions …
Residents, activists prod EPA for coal ash rules
April 19, 2012
For KFTC member Kathy Little and many others around the country who live near coal ash disposal sites, the U.S. EPA is taking too long to adopt rules protectign the public from exposure to toxic coal ash.
Coal Ash Amendment To House Transportation Bill Would 'Line Industry's Pocketbooks,' Critics Say
April 18, 2012
As the House of Representatives votes on an extension to its transportation bill Wednesday, environmental advocates are crying foul on an amendment that would strip the EPA of the ability to regulate toxic coal ash and hand it over to the states. The amendment passed in a voice vote with bipartisan support Wednesday afternoon.
Fossil-fuel subsidies are the real job killers
April 12, 2012
Despite billions and billions of dollars in federal subsidies, the fossil fuel industry has been shedding jobs by the thousands in recent years.
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