Elmer Lloyd video

On Saturday, thirty-two-year-old Dora “Alicia” Recinos Sorto was shot dead near her home. She was eight months pregnant, carrying her two-year-old son. Sorto and her husband were both active members of the Cabañas Environment Committee, which has campaigned against the reopening of a gold mine owned by the Vancouver-based Pacific Rim Mining Company.

Last week, Ramiro Rivera Gomez, the vice president of the Cabañas Environment Committee, was shot dead by heavily armed men despite having been under twenty-four-hour police protection. Another anti-gold-mining activist, Marcelo Rivera, from a nearby town was kidnapped and murdered in June.

 According to the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador (CISPES), violence against local  activists has risen sharply since residents successfully blocked mining permits sought by Pacific Rim. The company claims that denying its permit violates the US-Central America Free Trade Agreement and is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars from the Salvadoran Government.

Community members are calling for a full investigation into what many believe is politically motivated, systemic violence against local environmental activists. Currently, the Attorney General of El Salvador is treating each case as an unrelated act of crime.

On the CISPES website there is a detailed call to action, including sample email messages that people are urged to send to Rodolfo Delgado, the head of the Organized Crime unit of the Attorney General's Office of El Salvador (radelgado@fgr.gob.sv). Any messages should urge the Attorney General's Office to 1) Create a special team with the National Civilian Police to investigate these murders and threats against environmental activists and 2) investigate these cases exhaustively and impartially and bring all those responsible for these crimes to justice.

Please keep this community, especially the family and friends of the deceased, in your prayers.

Five days from now (December 31st) is the date by which you must be registered to vote as a member of the political party whose primary election you want to vote in in May of 2010 (assuming you're already a registered KY voter).

Note that Independents and Democrats cannot vote in partisan Republican primaries and Independents and Republicans cannot vote in partisan Democratic primaries.

We have very competitive primaries in both the Democratic and Republican parties for the US Senate race, so we want to make sure everyone has a chance to make their voices heard in these and all other partisan primaries.  

Say, for example, that you're a registered Democrat or Independent who's excited about voting for a particular Republican candidate in next year's May primary election.  You won't be able to do that unless you flip your voter registration to Republican by the end of this year. 

The same goes for a registered Republican or Independent who wants to vote for someone in the May Democratic Primary; they would also have to change their registration (to Democrat, in this case) to vote in the Primary they want to vote in.

If you wish to change your political party affiliation so that you can vote in partisan primaries, visit your local County Clerk by the end of their business on December 31st - or mail in a voter registration card.  Sooner is always better, though.

Note that people who aren't already registered to vote in Kentucky can register by the deadline in April and pick any party they want to.

Click for mailing addresses and phone numbers for all County Clerks in Kentucky

Click for printable Voter Registration card online and directions

 Note that New Year's Eve is *not* a federal holiday, so the mail should run then.  But the sooner you mail in your voter registration, the better.  

Please help spread the word!

In addition to the recent explosion of letters to the editors of papers throughout eastern and central Kentucky, the campaign to halt the coal-burning Smith plant has also shown up elsewhere in the media. A few days ago, Father John Rausch, KFTC member from Powell County, and one of the folks who are petitioning the Public Service Commission to revoke EKPC's original, and now invalid, approval for the plant, published an op-ed piece in the Lexington Herald-Leader. He detailed his reasons for opposing this ill-conceived power plant and why he chose to be among the folks taking legal actions to stop it. Here is his reflection in its entirety. After reading it, consider writing a letter to the editor of the H-L, showing your support for Fr. John, co-op ratepayers who are already paying too much for EKPC's poor decisions, and for a cleaner Kentucky. (Details on how to submit your letter below).

Rethink Clark County plant

By John S. Rausch

On Oct. 28, I joined Wendell Berry and others to petition the Kentucky Public Service Commission to revoke the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity granted to the East Kentucky Power Cooperative to build a coal-fired electrical plant in Clark County.

I live approximately 10 miles east and downwind of the proposed Smith plant. As a member of Clark Energy Cooperative, I feel awkward taking action against our own second-tier co-op.

Yet I hope our petition will ultimately enhance the excellent service our co-ops have historically provided to Eastern Kentucky.

We need to re-examine our direction, in light of health and environmental concerns and renew our purpose to better the community. I offer three considerations concerning the proposed coal-fired plant.

First, generating electricity from coal is problematic. Evidence about the ill health effects of burning coal is mounting. The Environmental Protection Agency found, and other studies confirm, that fine particle pollution from coal-fired power plants causes more than 20,000 premature deaths per year. Other health effects include respiratory illnesses, heart attacks and brain damage. The data are readily available. Groups like the American Lung Association and Physicians for Social Responsibility cite the studies.

"Our current economic crisis came from quick profits without regard to community. The cardinal virtue of prudence dictates that when we can meet our electric needs through greater efficiency or renewable and sustainable methods, we choose them."

More regulation of coal-fired plants and increases in operating costs appear inevitable as we grapple with health and environmental issues. This 19th century technology will eventually yield to the renewable energy technologies of the 21st century, which will cost less in the long run.

Second, as a co-op, community comes first. Because co-ops are membership organizations, they seek to serve their members with a social vision. Cooperatives from their founding, a full generation before the abolition of slavery in the U.S., practiced the principle of open membership which forbids discrimination by race, religion, nationality, gender or other incidental factor.

The principle of one person, one vote (not one stock share, one vote) makes money the servant, not the master, of co-op decision making. And, the promotion of education seeks to share information that leads to a better society.

Given this social vision intended to empower members and enhance the local community, how can we justify using fuel from sources like coal waste piles, tires and possibly mountaintop removal coal mining? Teaching members ways of conserving energy and investing in renewable energy sources better fulfills our co-op's social vision.

Finally, a renewed economy depends on high moral and ethical standards. Our current economic crisis came from quick profits without regard to community. The cardinal virtue of prudence dictates that when we can meet our electric needs through greater efficiency or renewable and sustainable methods, we choose them.

Generating electricity while endangering the health of others is a violation of the common good of the present generation, but destroying the environment violates the common good of future generations.

Also, the poor, the low income and those without health insurance will remain the most vulnerable to the sicknesses and diseases from the coal-fired plant's emissions, thus causing the greatest harm to the least among us.

In Catholic theology, violations of social justice like this fall under the Commandment, "Thou shalt not steal," because a violation of the common good is theft from all.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative has an opportunity to lead into a new era. We don't need to walk in the dark, though we can turn off unnecessary lights.

Coal miners will still have jobs, though their sons and daughters will find different employment. Green technology will create employment, but we'll need the proper investment.

For these reasons, I petition the Public Service Commission to revoke the certificate of need to encourage the utility to renew its vision of community service that promotes a healthy environment and fulfills its co-op vision.

The Rev. John S. Rausch, a Glenmary priest, lives in Stanton.

 It's easy to submit a letter to the editor of the Lexington Herald-Leader in support of Father John's op-ed. At this link, simply fill out your contact information and post your 250-word or less letter in the "Questions or Comments" field. Editors generally like to publish punchy, to-the-point pieces, and pieces that referred to previous articles published in the paper or that state how an issue relates personally to the author.

If you would like some more background on this campaign before writing your letter, click here. Since the PSC still hasn't made any move on this petition, it might be helpful in your letter to ask that the Attorney General weigh in on the side of the ratepayers and plaintiffs. It would be good for the AG's office to hear that folks think this is an important issue worthy of their attention, and that they are urged to take action.

Stay tuned to this blog for another great piece in the media about this campaign...

Dear Editor,

We should all join the three rural electric co-op members and three public interest groups who are asking the Kentucky Public Service Commission to revoke the certificate for the proposed Smith 1 coal-burning power plant in Kentucky.

Efficiency and conservation measures can save our energy dollar, provide jobs and eliminate the need for new power plants as proven around the country. Don’t believe the coal industry when they say that coal is good for Kentucky jobs. These days the extraction of coal uses few workers because it relies on gargantuan mechanized heavy equipment to tear apart mountains. One look at the economic status and quality of life in of our coal-mining counties will make it obvious that coal has been no boon to those communities.

Coal-fired power plants have unacceptable obvious and hidden costs, including water and air pollution. Mercury from coal plants has contaminated the fish in virtually all of our rivers and lakes, causing the need for fish consumption advisories. Air contamination has caused increasing asthma rates.

All reputable scientific bodies, including our own Environmental Protection Agency, the National Academy of Sciences, the American Association of Science, and the National Research Council, along with just about every nation in the world recognize that we face a severe threat to life as we know it on earth if we don’t dramatically reduce our carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants.

Coal-burning power plants will become more and more expensive and obsolete as the world moves away from fossil fuel energy. We must embrace the future and say no to new coal-burning plants.

Christine Missik
Danville, Kentucky
[Letter published in the The Advocate Messenger]

Dear Editor,

East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) wants to build yet another coal-burning power plant in Clark County along the Kentucky River. They’re clamoring for this plant despite the following facts:

•    The federal government will no longer give low-interest loans for coal or nuclear plants, but will still fund other types of energy generation and efficiency strategies at very affordable rates
•    EKPC is in precarious financial straits and would have to pay a high interest rate for the plant with private financing
•    Electric rates are up 70 percent between 2002-2008. A hike of 7 percent was levied in April to help pay for a plant that was recently brought on line. Customers will pay at least that amount again for the proposed plant;
•    Pending carbon and coal ash regulation will add more to the cost of coal-produced electricity than for any other option
•    The plant would burn highly toxic “waste coal” and coal from the Illinois Basin.

EKPC is aware of energy-saving and clean energy options that would meet electricity needs at lower costs while creating thousands of Kentucky jobs. Yet, instead of choosing the best path for customers they claim, “we’re coal people.” Wrong! They’re supposed to be electricity people.

Kentucky’s Public Service Commission must revoke approval for the Smith plant. That may be the only way to convince co-op leaders to pull their heads out of the sand and realize they are in a new era with new demands.

Steve Wilkins
Paint Lick, Kentucky
[Letter published in The Winchester Sun]

Dear Editor,
As a member of Owen Electric Cooperative, which obtains its power from East Kentucky Power Cooperative, I oppose the construction of EKPC’s proposed coal-burning Smith 1 power plant, which the utility plans to build in Clark County near the Kentucky River.  EKPC should abandon this plan and invest in clean energy instead.

A recent report from the Ochs Center indicated that investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet load requirements would cost ratepayers less than building and operating the Smith plant. Such an approach would not only help decrease greenhouse gas emissions, but would also have the additional benefit of creating thousands of good jobs in all 87 counties served by the rural co-ops, including 1,530 jobs in the Owen Electric service area alone. Heaven knows we need those jobs!

The Kentucky Public Service Commission has already admitted that allowing EKPC to build the Smith plant might “[result] in EKPC having excess generation capacity.” Why should we ratepayers pay for an unnecessary, dirty plant when much better alternatives are available? 

At this pivotal moment in history, all citizens and public officials need to think of the effects on future generations of the energy-generation decisions we make today.  Our choices should contribute to positive solutions, not escalating problems. I urge readers to contact Attorney General Jack Conway, asking him to stand with co-op members who have petitioned the PSC to rescind their approval for EKPC to build this expensive, polluting and ill-advised plant.

Tona Barkley
Owenton, Kentucky

It might finally be the dawn of a new day in Frankfort.  House Speaker Greg Stumbo is saying that now is the time for comprehensive revenue reforms. 

Noting that only 12 of every 100 students in Kentucky who enter the ninth grade graduate from college, Stumbo pointed to the need for revenue reforms.  “I think the debate should continue about our entire taxing structure, the entire revenue streams in this state,” Stumbo said. “If we were running a business like we run government, we probably would be broke because we don’t re-examine and adapt our revenue sources to the changes in the economy.”  You can find the full article on Bluegrass Politics, here.

Speaker Stumbo is also a co-chair on the poverty task force, which has been learning about the work that a state Earned Income Tax Credit would do to help keep families out of poverty. 

If you appreciate this kind of insight, call Speaker Stumbo to thank him and ask him to cosponsor legislation by Rep. Jim Wayne that would add a measure of fairness to our tax system and raise more than $300 million in new revenue. 

Phone Numbers:
Home: (606) 886-9953
Annex: (502) 564-2363
Capitol: (502) 564-3366

And while you're making calls, call Governor Beshear and tell him that his lack of leadership is unacceptable.  (His office's response to Speaker Stumbo's statement?  “Now is not the time to raise broad-based taxes on Kentuckians ... Tax reform means different things to different people, and we will continue to listen to whatever ideas the legislators may have.”)  You can reach the Governor's office at (502) 564-2611, or you can email him here.

Here are a few more pictures of our Singing For Democracy Gospel Fest last week, focusing on restoring voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society. 

Thanks again for everyone who made it possible.

We’re hoping to take some space in the blog and balancing the scales to recognize different ally organizations from across the state so that our members can get to know them better.  This is the second installment after recognizing People Advocating Recovery last issue.

Kentucky Jobs With Justice (JwJ) was founded in 1992 when community and church activists joined to support UNITE! in a fight for fair contract for workers against Louisville Manufacturing. KY JwJ has since grown to a coalition of more than 50 organizational members and 1800 individual activists who have pledged to "be there five times for someone else's fight as well as my own."

Kentucky Jobs with Justice is a broad-based coalition of community groups, faith-based organizations and labor unions united to promote, protect and improve the quality of life of all workers by empowering individuals and organiz

ations to engage in collective action for economic and social justice.

KFTC and JwJ work together on a broad range of issues and events, including tax and budget issues, our campaign to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society, our voter empowerment work to register, educate and mobilize people to vote across the state (just to name a few).

“I think they’re a tremendous ally to have – we’re lucky to have them in Kentucky.  Jobs with Justice is great at bringing the voice of labor to the table with community organizations,” says former KFTC Chairperson Janet Tucker.  “One of the strongest roles they played this year was bringing together the KY Social Forum, which was just incredible.”

The day before yesterday, there were two state legislative elections in Kentucky that will slightly change our 138-member legislature moving into January’s Legislative Session.

96th State House District - Carter and Lewis counties is now represented by Jill York (R), who won an election against Barry Webb (D).  This seat was vacated when Robin Webb won a special senate election earlier this year, leaving her old House seat vacant.

14th State Senate District (Marion, Mercer, Nelson, Taylor, Washington counties) is now represented by Jimmy Higdon (R), who won the election against Jodie Haydon (D).   This seat was vacated when former Senate Majority Leader Dan Kelly accepted a judicial position earlier this year.

This election was watched closely from across the state because of its potential to move towards a shift in the controlling party of the Senate.

Republicans in both races performed much better than most people expected, taking both seats by comfortable margins. 

For KFTC’s part, we emailed and called members in these communities to ask that they learn about the candidates and go vote on Election Day, sending out a statewide call to action for our members across the state to contact their friends in these seven counties to ask them to do the same.

Higdon’s former House seat (Casey, Marion, Pulaski) will have to be filled soon and will likely be vacant for part of the legislative session, starting in January. 

We wish our new state legislators the best of luck and look forward to working with them next year. 

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency declared that the greenhouse gases causing climate change are a threat to human health and the environment.  EPA's administrator, Lisa Jackson, stated that the scientific evidence linking greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, to health and environmental problems is overwhelming and that these gases should be regulated under the Clean Air Act.

The 1977 Clean Air Act gave the EPA authority to limit pollution emissions that may endanger public health or welfare. Greenhouse gases are the primary cause of climate change and have been linked to numerous respiratory illnesses, heart disease, and cancers amongst other health concerns.

This announcement comes after the EPA took two additional steps towards regulating greenhouse gas emissions from large facilities, including coal-burning power plants, earlier this fall.  In September, the EPA began requiring facilities releasing more than 25,000 tons of greenhouse gas per year to report emissions.  Next, the EPA requested public feedback on a regulatory framework for limiting emissions from six greenhouse gases.

As coal-burning power plants generate more than half of U.S. energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, regulating these pollutants will significantly impact coal dependent utilities and states.  Kentucky is 93% dependent on coal for electricity.