Check out the article here in the Williamson Daily News

Here are some quotes from the article:

This first quote reminds me of the 2007 hearing in Frankfort about Global Warming Chaired by Representative Gooch.

“How many times have the people in this room heard, at the US Chamber of Commerce or at the National Mining Asso-ciation, ‘I don’t believe in climate change, but I’m afraid to say that because it is a political reality.’ The greeniacs are taking over the world.

“Jimmy Carter understood that there was a risk if we increased our dependence on foreign oil,” Blankenship said. “But did it not sound similar to Obama? Turn down your thermostats? Buy a smaller car? Conserve? I have spent quite a bit of time in Russia and China, and that’s the first stage. You go from having your own car to carpooling to riding the bus to mass transit. You eventually get to where you’re walking. You go from your own apartment and bathroom to sharing kitchens with four families. That’s what socialism and the elimination of capitalism and free enterprise is all about.”

“It is as great a pleasure for me to be criticized by the communists and the atheists of the Charleston Gazette as to be applauded by my best friends,” he said. “Because I know they are wrong. People are cowering away from being criticized by people that are our enemies. Would we be upset if Osama Bin Laden was critical of us?” he asked.

 

If anyone feels moved by Mr. Blankenship's comments you could always send him an email with your thoughts. I'm not certain, but I believe his email address is Don.blankenship@masseyenergyco.com, I'm sure he would love to hear from you.

Today Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear released a proposed State Energy Plan that KFTC members hope will be the start of a transitioning from old dirty power to a clean and sustainable energy future.

The plan puts a higher priority on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy, as well as the growth of the bio-fuels industry. The plan calls for a 20 percent reduction from 1990 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.

That also is the target date for generating 25% of Kentucky's energy needs from greater efficiency, conservation and use of renewable and alternative energy sources.  This could create 30,000-40,000 jobs “as a result of a booming diversified energy sector,” Gov. Beshear said.

Unfortunately, these strategies seem to take back seat to Kentucky's continued unhealthy dependence on coal through large increases in the mining, burning and conversion of coal.

"[T]he governor’s determination to heavily increase Kentucky’s dependence on coal-based fuels — presumably at taxpayer expense — sends out alarms that the health of Kentuckians, the economic impact on low-income families, and the preservation of our environment will not improve," said KFTC in a statement issued after the release of the plan.

These strategies include:

1. Develop a coal-to-liquids industry in Kentucky to replace petroleum-based liquids;
   
2. Implement a major and comprehensive effort to increase gas, including coal-to-gas in Kentucky;
   
3. Initiate aggressive carbon capture/sequestration projects for coal-generated electricity in Kentucky; and
   

The governor also wants to examine the use of nuclear power for electricity generation in Kentucky.

The proposed plan was created without input from citizens or industry groups, Beshear said at a morning press conference. He plans to meet with groups to win support for his ideas.

"This plan should just be the beginning of the process," said KFTC Executive Committee member Doug Doerrfeld. "He [the governor] needs to take this plan on the road and get input from Kentuckians. It’s just a starting point."

Read the governor's press release here.

Download a copy of the plan.

Media coverage:

• Bluegrass Politics blog
• CNHI News Service
• The Courier-Journal
• Lexington Herald-Leader
• BluegrassRoots blog

This blog post was written by Beth Bissmeyer, a Berea College student and co-chair of the Madison County chapter.

While a good many folks reading this blog know that coal is far from clean, Gregory Boyce, Chairman and CEO of Peabody Energy--the largest privately-owned coal company in the world--wants you to think otherwise, and is willing to spend millions to convince you. In a USA Today article published Monday, it was reported that Peabody "kicked in about $9 million this year to an ad campaign touting 'clean coal.'"

Here's a kicker of a quote from Boyce:

There's a perception out there that coal is dirty, and we have to change that," he adds, noting that coal plants already have cut emissions of some pollutants and boosted efficiency to slash CO₂ discharges. "Black is the new green."

The article goes on to cover Peabody's push for coal-to-liquid and how the rising demand outside the US has, in part, impacted coal supply and price. According to the article, "Prices for Appalachian coal have jumped from $45 to more than $100 a ton since last year. Citing soaring coal costs, dozens of utilities recently announced electricity rate increases of up to 30%."

 And as people across Kentucky and across the US are facing increased utilities rates, Peabody and other coal companies continue to spend big. The USA Today article reports that, "About 30 coal-fired power plants are under construction around the country, the most in a generation. Peabody, along with partners, is building a $3 billion, 1,600-megawatt coal generator in Illinois, the biggest U.S. coal plant in 25 years."

TAKE ACTION!

We need to continue debunking the myth of clean coal and working to stop the building of new coal-fired power plants. A good letter to the editor always serves as a great way to have your voice heard, and if you felt so inclined, you could give Peabody your two cents, as well:

Peabody Energy
701 Market St.
St. Louis, MO 63101
314-342-3400
pr@peabodyenergy.com

Kentuckians For The Commonwealth concluded its ten-day stint at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville last week, completing substantial outreach and visibility.

The 20 ft-wide booth focused on both Restoration of Voting Rights for Former Felons and Mountaintop Removal Mining / Coal issues.  We recruited dozens of members, and got hundreds of people to fill out postcards to legislative leaders on both Voting Rights and against subsidies for filthy fuels.

Members say that this was an especially great way to raise visibility of our issues statewide and in Louisville particularly.  KFTC members also took the opportunity to connect with allies in such organization as the Fairness Campaign, the League of Women Voters, and labor unions (which also had booths) and also state entities like the State Board of Elections and also political party booths. 

Materials developed by KFTC's Communications staff for the State Fair booth have already been used in several other events across the state and will continue to be used at small community fairs, meetings, and other occasions for many months to come.

Thanks to all of the KFTC members from across the state who made our 120-hours at the State Fair a success.

Fueling debt

Kentucky politicians feel they are in debt to coal companies, which have given Kentucky politicians large amounts of money for campaigns.

Now the coal companies say it's time to return the favor.

The special legislative session called by Gov. Ernie Fletcher is nothing but a huge drain of tax dollars.

Our elected politicians are proposing to put millions and millions of dollars in the hands of the already rich coal companies by providing subsidies for an expensive and inefficient process called coal-to-liquid fuel.

The legislators should use their right to adjourn to prevent Kentucky from going down the wrong path. Let your legislators know how you feel; call the legislative message line at 800-372-7181.

Leah McQuade
Richmond

More praise for House

I was astonished at the House Democratic leadership yesterday for taking the initiative to do the right thing and adjourn the "special interest" session called by Gov. Ernie Fletcher. I was especially proud of my representative, Harry Moberly, D-Richmond, for his leadership and actions in making the legislators accountable on their previous voting records.

Although the Democrats did the right thing yesterday, they need to keep doing the right thing during the next regular session and truly investigate the proposal of coal-to-liquid. Coal is not a real alternative; it is not new, not cleaner and is the same thing we have been mining for over a hundred years …

Teri Blanton
Berea, Ky. 40403

I want to commend the Kentucky House of Representatives and the leadership of Jody Richards, D-Bowling Green, for doing the right thing Friday -- adjourning the "special interest" … session of the General Assembly.

This was an awesome showing of statesmanship to save the taxpayers $60,000 a day, for representatives to waive their salary and not succumb to politics as usual but do the actual work of the people. … I could not believe the audacity of a governor who was not even present during the regular session to call an extraordinary session

Mary Dan Easley
Burnside, Ky. 42519

'Boondoggle' rejected . . .

Thanks to the Kentucky House of Representatives for ending the expensive, needless and potentially harmful special session. Thanks for the House's rejection of the rush to fund the coal-to-liquid boondoggle.

Here's to taking the essential next step of developing a state-wide comprehensive energy plan that includes two major components: 1) enhanced energy efficiency, and 2) development and dissemination of wind, solar, hydro and other energy-generation technologies that do not degrade our environment.

Lyle B. Snider
Hazard, Ky. 41701

KFTC members and  allies in Lexington had a tremendous Bluegrass-Green Earth concert at The Dame downtown which brought out over 200 people over the course of the night to have fun and learn about important environmental issues, and get involved.  The event was co-sponsored by KFTC, but also the Sierra Club, Change for Kentucky, and GreenLex.org

   The broad context of the event was to create a Lexington arm of the international Live Earth Concert happening on all continents and for 24-straight hours that day.  Live Earth focuses on raising awareness of Global Warning, but KFTC members took the opportunity to talk to people about Coal-to-Liquid and the increased carbon emissions it would produce and how this would hasten global warming. 

   We also passed out 150 Global Warming / Coal-to-Liquid Action sheets and had 3 good asks from the stage to take action - including one by State Treasurer Jonathan Miller and one by a brand new KFTC member named Shane Isaac!

   In all, members participating said that it was a fun event and a great opportunity to reach out to new people while having a lot of fun doing it!

Gov. Ernie Fletcher is holding a special legislative session to pass additional subsidies for the coal industry.

These incentives and tax breaks to produce coal-to-liquid fuel will encourage the destructive environmental idiocy that continues to destroy our Eastern Kentucky mountains.

The concerns voiced by mountain residents during last year's Kentucky Authors Mountaintop Removal Tour remain relevant:

Artie Ann Bates of Blackey in Letcher County: "I've lived here all my life. ... Some people say there are flatlanders who don't have the right to say anything about this part of the world. But I want to say that this is about more than just us. It's about harmony and children. It affects us as human beings, just think about that. It's about the land and it includes all of us."

Erica Urias of Island Creek in Pike County: "When my husband first brought me here, the land was beautiful. ... The creeks and streams, the ones that used to flow don't run anymore. They throw huge boulders to the side of the road. When I first moved out here, I felt comfortable sleeping at night. Now I am seriously scared. People are selling out. The coal companies have taken it for a few extra bucks. Our well water is bad. We can't drink it. Our daughter doesn't understand why she takes a bath and we have to warn her about getting it in her mouth. That it will make her sick. This land has been in my husband's family for over a hundred years. They say, sell out, sell out. But I love this place."

Carolyn Brown of Montgomery Creek in Perry County: "The wildlife is being destroyed. All the trees, the plants, yellowroot, wildflowers. Our streams are black, ruined. You drive through the areas, you see nothing, all the trees are gone. You see dirt, nothing won't grow on it. Where they plant grass, it won't grow. Some people still like to enjoy the natural look of the mountains. Our children will not get to see them. Because coal companies come in and make some people a few bucks. The land will be gone. It breaks my heart. It insults me. I really don't know how, but we have to save the mountains we have left."

Carroll Smith, then-Letcher County judge-executive: "If you've been to the mountains, at one time it used to be a beautiful place and now it's bulldozed. One of the things the coal companies use is that they supply a job, said, 'There's so many families gonna be out of a job.' ... I'm not willing to make a good living if it means somebody else's house is flooded or somebody else has to suffer. One of the kids said we can't vote for (Al) Gore, he's one of them environmentalists. Well, there's two kinds of people: environmentalists and fools. And I ain't no fool. If I'm on a side, I don't want to be on the side of the fools."

Randy Wilson of Big Creek in Clay County: "Some way, somewhere there's a better way, a better way to light this world. For a hundred years we've been sitting on coal, oil, gas, and we're still one of the most impoverished states. It doesn't make sense."

Pam Maggard of Sassafras in Knott County: "Because of King Coal, we live in dirt, dust. Potholes. Miss Polly can't go outside to watch the birds because it's too dusty. She just stands at her front porch window and cries. Surely to God we can find a way."

Evelyn Gilbert of Eolia in Letcher County: "We have the right to be heard. It looks like a desert. Kentucky touches your heart and gets in your soul. And I told my husband they won't get me out of here unless they blast me out of here and that's what they're trying to do."

Sam Gilbert of Eolia: "Ten years down the road there won't be no mountains, and there won't be no checks. I don't know what to tell you except that anybody loves these mountains the way I love them would just about take up arms to save them."

Patsy Carter of Huntleyville in Martin County: "Our daughter was 21 years old. ... She was killed by a coal truck. It was a senseless death. They stole her life. If you haul coal in this county, you can get by with anything. Nobody hears us. And it's coal. It is King Coal."

Patty Wallace of Louisa in Lawrence County: "We may talk funny but our brains work. The coal company says we need more flatland, we need more Wal-Marts ... We're not stupid, but they keep telling us what we need. When they haul the coal out of Black Mountain, it's just like tearing out my heart. We've gotta have help and we've gotta have it soon."

Mary Popham is a Louisville writer.

The House has voted to adjourn the special session without taking up coal-to-liquid or any other issue.  There seems to be some debate over the constitutionality of the House alone adjourning the session, but for the time being it seems we can take a moment to catch our breath from all the work we've been doing around coal-to-liquid.  Thanks for everyone who helped us shut down this special interest session.

We'll post more updates on the session as they come in.

From Pol Watchers:

Read more

We had some more great letters from KFTC members in the Courier Journal yesterday and today.  Our push for letters from members is really paying off.  If you haven't already, please take a moment to write to your local paper opposing coal-to-liquid technology.

Watch your wallets . . ..

Hold on to your wallets. Gov. Ernie Fletcher has called a special session of our General Assembly to dole out millions of your tax dollars to subsidize liquid coal.

Writing in William F. Buckley Jr.'s arch-conservative magazine The National Review, Jerry Taylor of the CATO Institute calls the coal-to-liquids proposal "a re-embrace of one of the worst financial boondoggles of the 1970's -- synthetic fuels."

The Wall Street Journal calls liquid coal "the biggest corporate welfare scheme in U.S. history" and says that "taxpayers will be the biggest losers." Liquefying coal won't lower the price at the pump, but it will raise your taxes. And if our General Assembly passes liquid coal subsidies, you can kiss the mountains of Eastern Kentucky goodbye forever.

I urge all Kentuckians to drop whatever they are doing to oppose Gov. Fletcher's taxpayer subsidies for liquid coal.

Dave Cooper
Lexington, Ky. 40505

(link)

. . . Adjourn quickly

Gov. Ernie Fletcher would like a special session of the legislature to discuss wasting millions of dollars in subsidies on a coal-to-liquid plant boondoggle (a policy the U.S. Senate was savvy enough to reject recently).

Pursuing coal-to-liquid technology would result in an ecological nightmare…. Even worse, producing coal-to-liquid fuel will actually increase global warming. Producing it generates twice the amount of carbon dioxide as petroleum-based fuels.

On the most basic level, we should be pursuing alternatives that make us less dependent on fossil fuels, not more.

I call on Fletcher to not waste our precious state resources on this flim-flam. If the Governor should insist, then our legislators should resist and, in any case, vote to adjourn the special session as soon as it opens (wasting only the $60,000 spent for an abortive one-day session instead of possible millions).

David Anderson
Lexington, Ky. 40515

(link)

'Horrible disservice'

Gov. Ernie Fletcher has done a horrible disservice to Kentuckians by giving more than $2 million of state money to coal-to-liquid projects.

Fuel made from coal is not cheap or good for the environment. One ton of coal only produces 2 barrels of fuel.

Over 430 miles of Kentucky streams have already been buried because of mountaintop removal mining, and coal-based fuels produce twice as much carbon dioxide as petroleum-based diesel fuels.

We don't need to destroy the environment to become energy independent.

We need to urge our politicians to invest in sustainable and renewable energy and to stop wasting our tax dollars on King Coal.

Beth Bissmeyer

Louisville 40215

(link)

I remember the last time there was a craze about synthetic fuels. It was in the ‘70s. Politicians sold the idea that we could turn coal into gas and oil, and figure out some way to extract oil from the shale found in many parts of Kentucky. Energy independence surely was just a few years down the road.

I was working for the United Mine Workers of American then. The oil embargo had set off a boom in coal and at that time there was still union representation in Eastern Kentucky. The workers were happy; we were doing well financially.

There's a saying among mountain coal miners that it's either boom or bust. But I remember people talking back then that this time is different, this is a lifetime thing. I can retire with this new prosperity.

Then all of a sudden, boom, it was gone. It was all just a myth. It was a false prosperity.

Not that there wasn't plenty of money made off the coal. It was reported that there were more millionaires per capita in Pike County than anywhere else in the country. But it wasn't the workers who had the big bucks, it was the coal operators driving the Cadillacs. The average working guy or gal wasn't that better off.

And that's also when the coal companies started methodically breaking the union.

Like the last time, everything that I learn about the new craze over synfuels tells me that this is another Big Lie. Many of the same people are saying the same rhetoric with a much higher price tag, and are still willing to trade tomorrow for a few dollars today.

Governor Fletcher and some state legislators want to give financial incentives to make Kentucky the best - or at least the most profitable - place to build these new coal-to-liquid synfuel plants. On the governor's web site it admits that the types of subsidies he is proposing - hundreds of millions of dollars he is talking about - are not legal under current laws. John Hindman, the Secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development, in a letter says that “it is not practical to extend existing Economic Development incentive programs to alternative fuel facilities ... Even if the language could be statutorily amended or expanded to accommodate these large fuel facilities, the expanded language would not be consistent with current economic development policy.”

That sounds to me like the governor and the coal companies want a special session to make special laws for special interests.

What makes me mad is that when the state gives people a little help to get their lives back in order its called welfare. But when it comes to helping corporations make a profit it's called “incentives.”

Here in Eastern Kentucky the use of public funds for corporate welfare is an outdated and failing economic development strategy. It's based on tax incentives and low business costs - cheap energy, cheap land, low taxes and low wages - that has cost Kentucky taxpayers $4.3 billion since 1990 (the state admits this). You can read in the Kentucky Tax Expenditure Analysis that just two of the subsidies coal is already receiving costs $63.3 million a year, including a “Coal Conversion Credit” and a “Thin Seam Credit.” What do we have to show for all of those millions? In 2004, Kentucky's poverty rate actually rose.

It's a fairy tale to believe that giving coal companies, or a handful of the governor's favorite ones at least, hundreds of millions more is going to be different this time. If subsidizing the coal industry was going to bring us prosperity it should have done so long before now. Public subsidizing of coal to liquid would just tighten the straightjacket that coal has on Eastern Kentucky.

I don't doubt that there will be a lot of money made if the governor and Senator Bunning are successful at handing out more giveways to synfuel companies. But helping the same people or companies that already have the money make more is not prosperity. It does not raise our quality of life. And this is not good economic development because of the destruction that it would cause with the 40 percent more mining predicted. They will need a whole lot more coal and will mine it as cheap as they can.

What Kentucky, and Eastern Kentucky especially, needs is economic development that puts people ahead of profits and communities ahead of corporations. The coal industry and Kentucky's economic connection to coal are not going to change overnight. We need to start the transition now, though. And selling the snake oil of the past just doesn't cut it.

--

Carl Shoupe is a third generation coal miner (retired), a member of the Benham (Harlan County) city council and Kentuckians For The Commonwealth.

from the Appalachian News-Express