Clean Power Plan – An Opportunity for Just Economic Transition

___________________

 

Retired Coal Miner and Benham Power Board Member

Benham, Harlan County, Kentucky

 

“I’m a third generation coal miner and I’ve been working hard along with other folks throughout eastern Kentucky to build a new economy that doesn’t sacrifice our health. Here in Benham, we have our own electric utility and we have already started moving forward with programs to help our residents save energy and save money and we hope to be generating our own power in sustainable ways over the coming years. We can use the opportunity of this Clean Power Plan to not only create a future with a stable climate and cleaner air for our children to breathe, but to bring energy savings programs like ours here to low-income communities all across the state. We here in Kentucky are proud of stepping up in the past to the challenge of meeting our nation’s energy needs. But people in Harlan County have accepted the fact that the coal jobs are not coming back. We’re ready to move forward, and this Clean Power Plan gives us a challenge and an opportunity to do it again through renewable energy and energy savings—ways that are good for all people.”

___________________

 

Retiree and clean energy advocate

Berea, Madison County, Kentucky

 

“As a retiree, I think about my financial future on a fixed income. We, in Kentucky, have an extraordinary opportunity with the Clean Power Plan to lower our electric bills while creating tens of thousands of new, good jobs. We need a democratic process that will include the voices and wishes of ALL Kentuckians in the process of creating our new energy future. While we may celebrate our legacy, we need to keep our vision firmly on the future as we create Kentucky’s Clean Power Plan. New jobs, new affordable power, and a legacy we can be proud to hand to our children. Just what we need!”

___________________

 

Consultant and former city councilman

Whitesburg, Letcher County, Kentucky

 

"The hardworking folks that make their living in coal in my community know the same reality as me: the eastern Kentucky economy desperately needs both diversification, and a shot in the arm. The Clean Power Plan can be opportunity for both, with its potential to create new industries at home, in sectors like clean, renewable energy production and energy efficiency—so hopefully more of our own can make a living here."

___________________

 

Environmental justice advocate

Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky

 

“I grew in west Louisville’s Rubbertown, a community of low-income families, the elderly and other vulnerable populations who have lived with the long-term effects of power plant pollution.  As the Clean Power Plan includes ambitious goals for Kentucky, I am encouraged to see it also includes incentives for bringing renewables and energy efficiency programs to low-income communities and that vulnerable communities like mine must be engaged as Kentucky’s plan is developed. This is our opportunity to make sure the voices of those in Rubbertown, south Louisville and other directly impacted communities across the Commonwealth are heard.”