Last night dozens of KFTC members, joined with our great allies from all over the state, spoke up for clean air and public health at a hearing in Winchester, KY.  The hearing was sponsored by the Kentucky Division of Air Quality and was in regards to an air permit application for a proposed coal-burning power plant in Clark County.  The plant is being proposed to be built by East Kentucky Power Cooperative and would provide power to 16 rural electric co-ops around the state.

"I am a ratepayer/member of Bluegrass Energy, which gets its power from EKPC...As my co-op's power producer, I fear that EKPC is putting me and other members at dire financial risk by pursuing a coal-fired power plant design that is certain to result in higher additional environmental costs versus any other power generation choice it might make," said Madison County KFTC member Steve Wilkins during the public comments section of the hearing.

41 KFTC members and allies spoke out against the dirty air permit application.  Each of the speakers talked about why they believe in clean air, their vision for the future of Kentucky, and the good local jobs that will be possible if EKPC chooses to go down an alternative path of clean, renewable energy.

When asked why she came out, Jefferson County KFTC member Martha Flack said before the hearing, "I think it is really important that we start looking at alternative sources of energy so that we can do a better job protecting the environment and our health... I just dont want to see another coal-fire power plant go up."

Thanks to everyone who traveled far and wide -- especially our great KFTC members in the Eastern part of the sate -- to stand up for clean air, public health, and a better vision for Kentucky!

If you haven't yet sent in comments, there is still time to do so.  Please visit this link to send your comments to the Division of Air Quality.  The more Kentuckians speaking out for a cleaner, better way -- the more powerful we are! 

Here are a few links to some of the news stories about the hearing and our work!

• KY Public News Service
  
• Channel 36
  
• WEKU
  

We will be posting more videos and pictures soon.  Stay tuned!

You are invited and encouraged to attend the public hearing for the draft air pollution permit for the proposed coal-burning Smith plant on February 4 at 6:30 in Winchester. Stand with Clark County residents and folks all over the state to demand a clean energy solution. 

Click here to let KFTC know you plan to attend the hearing.

Background

This hearing is our time to make a public demonstration of our opposition to an unhealthy and risky coal-burning power plant, and to stand up in support of the clean and less-costly alternative of energy efficiency, weatherization and renewable energy.

All Kentuckians, whether you receive your power from EKPC or not, are stakeholders in this process as the plant would contaminate the air we all breathe. Already, hundreds of Kentuckians die prematurely each year from the illnesses caused by the soot, smog, mercury and other pollution spewed out by coal-burning power plants.

Now is the time to say, “Enough is enough!” The solution is simple and clear. Energy saving and renewable energy programs won’t need a permit because they won’t pollute our air. We must use this opportunity to speak out, letting the Kentucky Division for Air Quality and EKPC know that this clean energy solution is the just and healthy choice, not only for EKPC ratepayers, but for all Kentuckians.

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And don’t forget: If you haven’t submitted a written comment yet, you have until February 12 to tell the DAQ that you oppose the draft air permit. Visit kftc.org/airpermit to submit a written comment to the Division for Air Quality, raising your voice in favor of a just energy future and public health.

The solid waste left over from burning coal is called coal combustion waste, part of which is called coal ash. Despite being dangerous to human health, coal ash is not currently considered hazardous waste. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is considering recognizing the waste as hazardous, which would force power plants to dispose of it in ways that protect the health of nearby residents.

Coal-burning power plants produce approximately 131 million tons of coal ash per year, making coal ash the second largest U.S. industrial waste stream. Currently, the federal government allows states to regulate coal ash disposal. In Kentucky, state coal ash disposal regulations do little to protect the public from exposure to coal ash toxins.

How is coal ash created?

The air leaving power plant stacks after coal is burned is filtered to limit air pollution, creating a more solid form of waste. This waste is combined with the residue from coal boilers to make what is called coal combustion waste. The ashy part of the waste, called coal ash, contains concentrated pollutants, including many toxins known to cause cancer in humans.

How is coal ash disposed of in Kentucky?

In Kentucky, coal ash is typically mixed with water and channeled into a pond on-site at the power plant. Many of these ponds were constructed without the consultation of an engineer and do not contain lining to prevent toxins from the ash from seeping into the ground. This "wet storage" method is the cheapest way to dispose of coal ash.

How much coal ash is stored in Kentucky?

According to the EPA, there are 44 coal ash ponds in Kentucky - the second highest number in the nation after Indiana.  Seven ponds in the state have been categorized by the EPA as "high hazard", including sites in Louisa, Harrodsburg, Ghent and Louisville. Out of the 100 coal-burning plants that produce the largest amount of coal ash in the nation, Kentucky houses 10.

Why is coal ash hazardous?

Coal ash waste contains toxic chemicals and heavy metals such as arsenic and lead — pollutants that cause cancer, birth defects, reproductive problems, damage to the nervous system and kidneys, and learning disabilities in children.  Kentucky coal-burning plants generate a total of 8.5 million tons of this waste every year.  The report also estimates that proposed plants in Kentucky, including EKPC’s Smith 1 plant, would generate 600,000 additional tons of coal ash annually.

What can you do to improve the safety of coal ash disposal?

Call today to request tighter controls on coal ash disposal. Ask decision-makers to define coal as as hazardous and not give into coal industry demands on this very important issue. The EPA requested comments on this issue late last year and did not receive many public responses.

(202) 395-3080 - U.S. Office of Management and Budget

(202) 564-4700 - Lisa Jackson, EPA director

Also be sure to take action to oppose EKPC's Smith 1 plant. Click here for more information.