As part of a strategic planning effort, Kentucky's economic development cabinet is gathering input from Kentuckians about our vision for the economic future of the commonwealth over the next five years through public forums held in different cities across the Commonwealth. Jefferson County members participated in one yesterday in Louisville.

Common themes emerged as the nearly 100 people present answered the question: "What are the biggest economic challenges faced by Kentucky today?" Consistent answers were poor education, inadequate tax structure, lack of public transportation, and Kentucky's national image.

Several participants mentioned that the legislators in Frankfort seemed out of touch with the types of innovations and policies needed to move Kentucky forward, including small business incubation models and renewable energy policy. Christina Shadle of Greater Louisville, Inc. noted "nearby states have great models for green incentives that we could learn from."

KFTC member Peggy Wenker felt like the forum was important and was glad she attended. "I think we need new incentives for small businesses - more entrepreneurship. And, because there is no money that Kentucky specifically sets aside for women and minorities in business, people give up easily." She said she liked many of the ideas, but looked forward to seeing a specific plan with concrete ideas about how we accomplish those things.

Peggy also mentioned that she would have like to see the Cabinet hold a forum during non-business hours. "It seemed like everyone there knew each other. I'd like to see more regular people participate in conversations like these, but you would need to hold one of these at night."

There is one more forum in Northern Kentucky - plan to attend if you live nearby: Thursday, August 4, 9 a.m. – noon ET, The METS Center, Auditorium, 3861 Olympic Blvd., Erlanger.

You can also contribute your thoughts online. Fill out a survey at http://www.kentuckysunbridledfuture.com/. Click on the button that says “Provide your input.” Then click on the small underlined link that says, “resident survey.”

Many Kentuckians demonstrated that they are ready for the benefits that clean energy will bring to Kentucky by attending a conference co-sponsored by KFTC on the topic.

Hear an Appalshop-produced podcast on the day by clicking here.

The first-ever Kentucky Clean Energy Summit, hosted by the Kentucky Sustainable Energy Alliance, brought 150 people together, including small business owners, housing groups, low-income advocacy organizations, legislators, energy experts, and concerned citizens.

Mary Miller of Midway, a board member of Kentucky Watershed Watch and a member of the Sierra Club and KFTC, came to the conference to learn more about how to communicate effectively with legislators. “I asked questions that I’ve been curious about forever,” she said. “It just makes you aware of what all’s going on and how these groups can work together,” Miller said.

During the day, summit speakers and attendees explored:

o    Policies that would increase use of energy efficiency and renewable energy in Kentucky
o    The benefits of these policies and why Kentucky should pass these now
o    Success stories from nearby states, including Ohio
o    The experiences of KySEA member organizations including small businesses and affordable housing providers that are utilizing energy efficiency and renewable energy today

The Clean Energy Opportunity Act, recently filed by Representative Mary Lou Marzian in the 2011 General Assembly and supported by KySEA, is a comprehensive clean energy bill that would set clean energy goals for Kentucky and provide incentives for clean energy businesses. Summit participants got a first look at what’s in the bill.

Carmen Stine and Shari Bivelacque of Alternative Energies Kentucky, a new business in Danville that manufactures solar panels, said starting a clean energy business in a state where there are no incentives or guidelines has been a challenge. Many of their clients are outside Kentucky.
“How do you sell to people who have no incentives to improve their situation and their carbon footprint?” said Stine.

“If there’s a financial incentive, then they start to listen,” said Bivelacque.

Getting state leaders on board will be key, Bivelacque said. “For us to get anywhere with this, it’s going to be all about education,” she said.

And jobs, according to Rep. Mary Lou Marzian, who sponsors the Clean Energy Opportunity Act, House Bill 239. “I think the job piece is what’s so important to effect policy change in Frankfort,” Marzian said.

Andy McDonald of Kentucky Solar Partnership said Kentucky needs to take a long-term view. “We really need long-term stable policies,” McDonald said. “There’s no point in getting trained if there’s not going to be jobs.”

David Brown Kinloch, who with his partners purchased and restored the Mother Ann Lee Hydroelectric Station on the Kentucky River, echoed the view that Kentucky needs to make a long-term investment in clean energy. In addition to his work in hydro power, Kinloch has researched wind power in Kentucky. “It’s a political problem, not a technical problem, why there isn’t wind in Kentucky,” he said.

Representatives of the Federation of Appalachian Housing Enterprises (FAHE), Frontier Housing, Home Energy Partners and the Metropolitan Housing Coalition expressed their desire to see new policies that protect home owners, renters and low-income families from rising energy costs.

“I’ve heard a lot today about energy efficiency as a resource, and I really like that term,” said Vonda Poyner of FAHE, a regional nonprofit based in Berea that provides access to capital that creates housing and promotes community development.

KFTC is a founding member of KySEA, and KFTC members played a role in the agenda throughout the day. Mary Love of Jefferson County delivered the welcome address, and Doug Doerrfeld of Elliott County discussed environmental impacts as part of a panel on The Case for Clean Energy Policies in Kentucky.

Click here to download presentations from the day.

Last night UK KFTC teamed up with Beyond Coal to craft in the name of clean energy! UK Beyond Coal is part of the Sierra Club’s Beyond Coal campaign to kick coal off of college campuses and move campuses toward a clean energy future. Together, the two student organizations crafted over 75 pinwheels that will be placed on campus to promote clean energy awareness and symbolize the transition that students want. To learn more about the national initiative, check out this link to the Sierra Student Coalition’s website.

The pinwheels were placed on campus this morning in front of the William T. Young library. If you would like to get involved with UK KFTC, you should join one of the weekly meetings on Wednesday nights at 7pm in Student Center rm. 111. 

By Mary Love

Jefferson County Chapter member

On August 13-15 a first-ever Community Leader Training Weekend took place at Camp Virgil Tate north of Charleston WV. The training was planned and conducted by the Alliance for Appalachia, of which KFTC is a member. Seventy-four folks participated from KY (15), TN (15), VA, (16) WV (17), PA (3), NC (2), DC (2), OH (1), and even one each from Colorado and California! 

Workshops included Community Organizing, Talkin’ SMCRA (led by Kevin Pentz), Facilitation, Economic Transition, Conflict Resolution, Youth Organizing, Pathway Away from Coal, and many more. The film Deep Down was also shown. There was plenty of time for conversation, campfires, great fellowship, and sharing, too.

This was a great opportunity to learn more about how to improve our organizations and develop our leaders. I hope that this is just the beginning of similar training events conducted by the Alliance!

Join KFTC's delegation to a conference and day of action focused on transition and the future of Appalachia. The events aim to advance the dialogue about current energy extraction practices, with a specific focus on ending mountaintop removal coal mining, and advocate for a renewable energy future for Appalachia on a national stage

"We envision a vibrant weekend during which thousands will learn about the challenges Appalachia faces and ways to build a movement to end the destruction and plant the seeds of a sustainable and prosperous Appalachia," said the organizers of the events.

The conference, entitled Voices from the Mountains, will be held on September 25-26, 2010. Organizers of the Voices from the Mountain conference are planning a space for regional participants to grow and connect through strategy sessions, workshops, learning, and cultural events. Topics will include both exploration of the issues facing the region and ways to move forward.

The day following the conference, September 27th, many people from the Appalachian region will gather with conference attendees for a day of mobilization and rallying on Capitol Hill. 2000 people, including movement leaders from the region, celebrities such as Ashley Judd and Silas House, and many Appalachian residents are expected to gather.

Click here to sign up or learn more.

For the last five days, two dozen KFTC members, joined with dozens of Kentucky allies (from Jobs with Justice and other groups) and tens of thousands of allies from across the US and the rest of the world gathered in Detroit for the US Social Forum.

There were over 1,000 workshops focusing on a broad range of topics including environmental justice, anti-racism, immigration reform, lobbying, gay rights, anti-war, economic justice, non-violent civil disobedience, and much more.  There were also plenary sessions, actions, social events, and other activities.

KFTC members hosted two powerful workshops with about sixty people attending between them.  The workshops were “The Struggle For Justice in the Coalfields of Central Appalachia and Colombia” and “A Discussion About the Life and Example of Anne Braden.” 

       

Both were well-attended by an engaged group of people who asked good questions and seemed to get a lot out of the experience.

The Alliance For Appalachia (including KFTC members) set up a booth throughout the Social Forum to talk to people about mountaintop removal mining and other damages inflicted on communities by the coal industry.

KFTC members are just starting to really digest and analyze their experience this week and are getting a sense of what they’re bringing back to Kentucky with them.  Here are some parting thoughts from the last hours of the Social Forum:

“I’m bringing back a deeper knowledge and commitment to the interconnectedness of social change.  - Gina Chamberlain, Madison County Chapter

 “It’s overwhelming in a wonderful way to be here with so many kind-hearted people struggling for what’s best” - Becki Winchel, Jefferson County Chapter

“No matter how isolated we feel sometimes, we are part of this broader, bigger, energetic movement - and it’s good to be reminded of that.” - Vanessa Hall, Pike County Chapter

“This week has re-instilled my faith that America is a place for everyone… regardless of gender, physical ability, financial status, race, etc.  Some people forget that we are supposed to have inalienable rights, but here, it felt real.” - Howard Owens, Jefferson County Chapter

“I’m bringing back a sense of hope, grounded in the knowledge that this is a long-term struggle and we need patience.” - Steve Pavey, Scott County Chapter

 “I’m an old radical and I’ve never been around this many other radical people – including lots of young people in leadership roles.  It was an opportunity to kind’ve pass the torch to the next generation.” - Jack Norris, Jefferson County Chapter