Kentucky Living is the monthly magazine published by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives and is mailed out to nearly half a million rural electric co-op customers in Kentucky. In the April issue, editor Paul Wesslund took offense to recent television commercials which debunked the myth of "clean coal." Using an "I'm rubber; you're glue" argument, Wesslund in his editorial said that those who were exposing the coal industry's misinformation were the ones telling dirty lies.

KFTC member Doug Doerrfeld responded to Wesslund's editorial with a letter that detailed some of the true costs of coal in Kentucky. A severely edited version of Doug's letter was published in the July issue of Kentucky Living; the electronic version has yet to be posted online. Doug reports that "what they chose to eliminate is quite revealing." You can read Doug's original, full-length letter below.

April 6, 2009

Editor Paul Wesslund’s “From The Editor” column in the April, 2009 Kentucky Living served only to further frustrate an honest discussion of energy and so called “clean coal.”  Mr. Wesslund says, “Denying the past and promise of clean coal is a fundamental lie.” The term “clean coal” was coined by the coal industry well over 100 years ago to combat its bad image. In spite of fierce opposition from the coal industry and its friends in the coal fired electric generation industry, decades of efforts from citizens, scientists and elected officials have resulted in the reduction of some toxic emissions from coal fired facilities.  What is disturbing is how dirty coal still remains in all phases of its procurement, use and disposal.

The truth of so called “clean coal” is that since just 1980 over 1,000,000 acres of Kentucky’s forests and all the native life they contained have been bulldozed into piles and burned for surface coal mining. Mountains have been blasted and thousands of miles of streams, and rivers buried or damaged.  Kentucky’s streams, rivers and lakes have been made so toxic with mercury contamination from burning coal that there is a statewide advisory on eating fish caught from all our waters.

What is disturbing is how dirty coal still remains in all phases of its procurement, use and disposal.

Kentucky is also a leading state for toxic coal combustion waste impoundments like the TVA site in Tennessee which recently burst. The American Cancer Society links fine particle pollution from coal burning facilities to lung cancer, heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease.  Sadly, Kentucky ranks near highest in our nation in the number of people with these diseases. All of these must be included in an honest discussion of so called “clean coal,” and its true costs.  It is clear who is in denial in this discussion.

The carbon dioxide released from burning coal is a leading cause of the global warming crisis.  The promise of carbon capture and underground storage is a false promise, not because it is technically impossible to do, but because it can never be done in a manner that will be cost competitive on an industrial scale. Simply put, in the carbon constrained near future, electricity generated by coal will be more expensive than electricity generated by wind, water and solar.  If carbon capture and storage is pursued the citizens of Kentucky will be burdened with the high cost of this expensive process through large rate increases, state tax subsidies for these billion dollar facilities and ownership and liability of the toxic waste carbon dioxide.

We are in an energy crisis.  The era of “cheap electricity,” made possible by the coal industry’s externalization of the many true costs of coal, is over.  But there are solutions. I agree with Mr. Wesslund that Grayson Rural Electric and EKPC need to move aggressively in the direction of community based energy efficiency, renewable energy and weatherization programs which will create many local jobs.  Demand side management programs need to be greatly expanded.  State government must move quickly to pass strong renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standards and policies to make widespread implementation of these things affordable to Kentucky businesses and low and middle income Kentuckians.  

Doug Doerrfeld
Elliottville, KY

On the 44th anniversary of Medicare, and hours after the Blue Dog Democrats weakened the "public option" included in the House health reform plan, single payer activists are rallying in Washington.

More than fifty Kentuckians are participating in the rally and lobby day, which are being billed as "Medicare: Made in America" to celebrate the success story of Medicare, and to urge a single-payer, "medicare for all" health care system. 

Neither the Obama plan nor the House health reform plan are single payer systems.  Both maintain the private insurance-based systems--a point of major contention for single-payer advoates, who point out that private insurance companies soak up a disproportionate amount of resources, and a plan that maintains them will be expensive and will perpetuate disparities in access. 

Until yesterday evening, both plans included a "public option"--a government plan that would be open to anyone.  KFTC members were suspect of the reach of this public option.  Janet Tucker, who has organized around single-payer with our ally organization, Kentuckians For Single Payer Healthcare, said,

"Any public option should offer the same quality of care that Congress gets; should be afforable; should be open to everyone, including immigrants; and should address the racial disparities in health care.  Anything short of that is a fraud."

Now, on the anniversary of Medicare, it seems as if even the public option is becoming dilute to the point of nonexistence. 

The Kentucky Single-Payer delegation will be presenting Senator McConnell, who is leading the Senate's charge against any meaningful health reforms, with a petition singed by 7,000 Kentuckians who support of single-payer.

To echo their message, contact Sen. McConnell.  Tell him to stop denying our right to health care for all.

Phone: (202) 224-2541
Fax: (202) 224-2499

Resources to stay on top of the health care debates:

Physicians For A National Health Program -- articles, resources, and check out their blog, which has up-to-date entries that critique the House ad Senate plans.  The treatment of the "public option" posted on July 28 is especially interesting, detailing the shifting meaning of the public option.

Kentuckians For Single Payer Healthcare -- Kentucky's affiliate of PNHP.  Stay informed of state and local events to support single payer.

The Kaiser Family Foundation has a helpful tool that generates side-by-side comparisons of all the health care reform options, from single payer to the Senate plan.  Check the "last updated" line...These bills are changing fast.

The Economic Policy Institute has several articles about paying for reforming health care, and the costs of not reforming health care. 

Also, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D, OH) has proposed an amendment that passed, and so far has stuck, that would allow states to adopt their own single-payer systems.  Healthcare for America Now has an explanation of Kucinich's amendment and what it means for single-payer.

Over 10,000 people will flock to the small town of Fancy Farm this weekend for the largest picnic in the world, some great barbecue and the largest Kentucky political event of the year, with stump speeches, over-the-top political skits, and good, old-fashioned small-town southern politics.

We'll bring a group of KFTC members from across the state to cut through a lot of the partisan posturing and talk to people (including candidates and elected officials) about real issues facing Kentucky.

Many of us will travel from Lexington or other parts of the state and spend Friday night in the area, but others closer (like from Bowling Green) could just leave Saturday morning and join us.

The big speeches themselves start around 2 p.m. on Saturday and we're hoping everyone can make it there by 10 a.m. at the latest.

KFTC will especially be talking to people about our Voting Rights campaign and passing out 1,000 stickers, information, and asking people to sign postcards to legislators.  Our allies with the Catholic Conference and People Advocating Recovery will also be there, talking to people about Voting Rights. 

Please contact Dave Newton at (859) 420-8919 or Dave@kftc.org if you're interested in joining us.

Lately, KFTC has broadly encouraged our fellow community members who have been involved in organizing work to consider running for public office in 2010, or at some other point in the future.

One of the most common questions people are asking is “What would that take?”

Some general answers include time, dedication, an idea of how to make things better, a solid connection to your community, friends, some money (raised from your community), and a lot of self-motivation and drive.

It depends a lot on what office you’re interested in running for, but we’ve found that a good way to illustrate the amount of effort it would take to win an election is to talk about how many (or few) votes it has taken to win different offices in past similar elections. 

Here are some examples to give you an idea. We use the 2002 results in most cases because it was the last year we had U.S. Senate race in a non-presidential year, similiar to what we'll have next year.

State Representative Races, 2002 – 7,115 votes (average).  In 2002, a similar election year to the one we're about to have in 2010, only 33 of the state House races were contested.  The 67 other elections ran with no opposition.  Of those 33, the winner received 7,115 votes on average, with winning vote counts as low as 3,956 votes.  

State Senate Races, 2002 – 16,503 votes (average).  In 2002, a similar election year to the one we're about to have in 2010, 12 of the state Senate races were contested.  The 7 other elections ran with no opposition.  Of those 12, the winner received 16,503 votes on average, with winning vote counts as low as 13,162 votes.  

KY US House of Representatives Races, 2002 – 116,664 votes (average).  In 2002, a similar election year to the one we're about to have in 2010, the winner received 116,664 votes on average, with winning vote counts as low as 87,776 votes.  

Bowling Green City Commission, 2008 - 8,579 votes.  This was a 7-way race in which the top 4 vote-getter become the city council.  The four winners got between 8,579 votes and 11,530 votes.  Turnout would be expected to be lower in 2010 without the draw of a presidential election.  

Lexington City Council Races (District), 2002 – 3,497 votes (average).  In 2002, a similar election to the one we’re about to have in 2010, 8 of the 12 seats were contested.  The winner in those eight district races received 3,497 votes on average and winning Lexington district City Council members received vote counts as low as 1,666 votes.

We reported a while back on the PUSHBACK Convening we had in Nevada with with Kentuckians and grassroots activists other states across the U.S. learning from each other and making connections.  Here's a group picture and a video of the weekend.  Enjoy.

In an attempt to share more of the stories from former felons across the Commonwealth, we’re presenting a series of short interviews every few weeks on our blog.

Katrina Byrnes is a life-long resident of Louisville, a mother of four, and is very involved in her community through the Kentucky Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression and other community organizations.

"When you tell people you’re a former felon, they treat you different sometimes,” Byrnes says.  “My felony is 13 ½ years old and it doesn’t make sense to punish people twice – or for the rest of their lives.”

“Lots of people in my community don’t have the right to vote,” Byrnes says.  “I worry that a lot of them don’t care and they’ve become apathetic.  I used to feel that way, to be honest.”  

“It impacts the children more than anything else.  They learn from us.  I fought to get my rights back for them – to show them that my vote counts and so will theirs.”

Katrina Byrnes spoke out in 2008 at a rally for voting rights in Frankfort.  Although she was nervous, she received a standing ovation from the crowd.  

“I’m better talking to people one-to-one about this issue, though,” Byrnes says.  “I’d love to get more community involvement to really get people out into the streets talking to people about this in the West end of Louisville and other areas.”  

“I really get out there and help bring people to the probation and parole office to apply to get their rights back – and get them contacting their legislators to restore voting rights to all former felons.”

“It’s so sad that some people don’t care about this issue.  People need to open their eyes.  It just doesn’t make any sense to take voting rights away from people who have served their time."

Byrnes fought to get her own right to vote back and got it, voting for the very first time in 2008.  “I was just 19 when I was sentenced – it felt so empowering to vote for the first time in my life.”

“I want other people to feel that way too – everyone in my community and across the state.  All 186,000 Kentuckians who have lost their vote need to be able to vote again to make this right.”

As many of you know, Sarah Lewis, Grandmother to KFTC leader Tayna Fogle, passed away the day before yesterday at 102 and after a full and interesting life.

There's a big Herald-Leader story in yesterday's paper Here.

Visitation starts at 10am this Saturday at the Greater Faith Apostolic Church, 3412 Clays Mill Rd, in Lexington. The service starts at noon.

Please send flowers and cards to the Smith and Smith Funeral Home at 340 E 3rd St Lexington, KY, 40508.

You can also stop by the Lexington KFTC office at 250 Plaza Dr. to sign a card.

There will be a special election on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 from 6am to 6pm in the 18th Senatorial District (all of Bracken, Carter, Greenup, Lewis, Mason, and Robertson Counties).  The election is to fill a seat vacated by Senator Charlie Borders.

The candidates appearing on the ballot will be Robin Webb (D), Jack Ditty (R), and Guy Gibbons (I).

If you live in these counties, please do everything you can to learn about the candidates, remind your friends, and get out and vote!  If you know anyone in this district, please call them and let them know about the election. 

KFTC will be calling all of our members in the district, will do a mailing to remind them to vote, will do some limited paid ads in local newspapers, and will provide "neighbor to neighbor" postcards to our members in the district to help them remind their friends to vote.

Please call Dave Newton, our Voter Empowerment Organizer at (859) 420-8919 or Dave@kftc.org if you have questions or ideas or if you'd like to volunteer with us in this district.

For information about voting locally:

Bracken County Clerk - (606) 735-2952
Carter County Clerk - (606) 474-5188
Greenup County Clerk - (606) 473-7394 - www.greenupcountyclerk.com
Lewis County Clerk - (606) 796-3062
Mason County Clerk - (606) 564-3341
Robertson County Clerk - (606) 724-5212

State Board of Elections – (502) 573-7100 www.elect.ky.gov

KFTC members got out in the community today at several community festivals to talk to people about our campaign to restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society.

We registered voters, talked to a lot of people, helped a few people start the process to request their right to vote back from the Governor's office, and over 150 people signed postcards to senators asking them to pass HB 70 to automatically restore voting rights to former felons who have served their debt to society. 

Super Sunday in Lexington was an especially large success:

   

    

And our tabling at the Ed Davis basketball game in Georgetown was well-targeted to help build our presence in the Boston community in Senator Damon Thayer's district.

    

The United States has the technology and the money, but its health care ranks 37th in the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Insurance companies take 20 – 30 percent of our health dollars and yet give us no health care. Our access to health care is poor; many have to wait a long time and some never can get services because they do not have health insurance.

The insurance companies limit the doctors we can use, the number of visits, and what treatment to use instead of the doctor and patient together deciding about their health care.

The best solution to our health care woes is again in the U.S. Congress. Rep. Conyers (a Democrat serving his 21st term in the House) introduced a bill nine years ago – and every year since – to expand Medicare so that everyone would be covered regardless of employment, income or health.

The measure, called H.R. 676, has 77 co-sponsors and the endorsement of more than 15,000 physicians.

With single payer health care all U.S. residents would show a card and could choose their doctors, dentists, chiropractors, social workers, etc. and get the care without co-pays, deductibles and premiums.

The U.S. government would collect around 2 percent more in taxes from 95 percent of the population (less than what we pay for all these services and medications). The wealthiest people would pay a higher tax rate.

Doctors would be freed to spend more time with their patients rather than hassling with insurance companies, all with different paperwork, and the U.S. could save $400 billion dollars a year by single payer health care.

To find out more about the bill look at www.pnhp.org or www.kyhealthcare.org.

Kentuckians for Single Payer Healthcare will be glad to give free presentations within the Kentuckiana/ Kentucky areas – including showing of the film SICKO and Frontline programs on “Medicare for all” as it is sometimes called.

We need you to bring about the health care in the U.S. that we deserve. Please tell your U.S. representative and senators (the Senate version is SB703) and get your state legislators to endorse single payer healthcare. President Obama needs to hear from citizens at www.whitehouse.gov.

According to an Associated Press report, President Obama said at a meeting in New Mexico that if he were building a health-care system from the ground up, he would favor a single-payer system. But he currently favors improving the existing system because many people are satisfied with it.

Are you satisfied with the way insurance companies dole out denials?  Let him know!