Rick Handshoe

The movement to end mountaintop removal mining is featured this week in a cover story of the LEO, a free weekly newspaper in Louisville. The article, written by Jonathan Meador, can be found here.

The story features Floyd County KFTC member Rick Handshoe.

“I go down in (that valley) to hunt, and there’s nothing there,” says Handshoe, adding that because of the contaminated runoff generated by local mountaintop removal mining operations, the water line had to be dismantled, and water is now piped in from elsewhere at a greater overall cost. “Some of the people here, they call people from Louisville and Lexington ‘outsiders,’” he says. “But you’ve got a stake in this too. You guys are drinking the water that’s coming from here."

Citizens marching to the Capitol in support of the Stream Saver Bill

It also focuses on the close relationship that Rep. Jim Gooch, chairperson of the House Natural Resources Committee, has to the coal industry, and places responsibility for inaction on the Stream Saver Bill at the feet of Governor Beshear.

"If you wonder why someone in Gooch’s position is allowed to repeatedly kill the routinely unsuccessful Stream Saver Bill — which would significantly reduce the toxic pollution created by surface mining — every time the bill lands in his committee, you don’t have to look much farther than the governor’s mansion."

State Senator Kathy Stein, a key sponsor of the Stream Saver Bill (SB 139), is also quoted:

“They (coalfield legislators) continue to support the coal industry and everything that they say — that coal’s so good for the economy — but if you look at the poverty rates in some of these counties with coal producers, you find it’s not the case. If you’re so damn good for eastern Kentucky, then why does eastern Kentucky end up perpetually one of the poorest regions in the nation?”

Rep. Yarmuth meeting with coalfield resident and member McKinley Sumner

And the story gives a nod to U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, a primary co-sponsor of the Clean Water Protection Act. He refers to a recent study by Downstream Strategies which notes that coal production in central Appalachia is expected to "decrease by as much as 50% over the next decade while becoming increasingly expensive to mine."

“The report kind of validates what a lot of us have already known,” says U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, D-3. “What peripheral evidence has shown is that coal is something any economy cannot depend on. A third of the number of people in coal mining are employed now (compared to) the peak of production.”

As part of this year’s “I Love Mountains” day, more than 20 KFTC young people – all between the ages of 5 and 25 – met with five members of Governor Beshear’s staff.  The purpose of the meeting was to discuss concerns about the harm that mountaintop removal coal mining creates as well as talk about creating a transition towards a clean and sustainable energy economy.  The KFTC meeting was entirely youth-planned and youth-led.

Six-year old Makayla Urias from Pike County shared what it is like living next to a mountaintop removal operation.  She talked about her polluted water, being scared from the large blasting noises, and having to cover her face when going outside because of the dust pollution.  She even brought some of her dirty water to share with the Governor’s office. 

The young KFTC members presented scientific information about the pollution and destruction created by mountaintop removal coal mining.  They also presented information about the economic benefits and jobs that could be created in Eastern Kentucky and the rest of the state if Kentucky chose to invest in energy efficiency and renewable energy alternatives.

The group used a large board to list the questions they asked the administration with a space to mark answers they received as a “yes”, “no”, or “waffle.”  By the end of the meeting, the group received a commitment to meeting with Governor Beshear within a month.  The youth delegation is excited to begin preparing to meet with Governor Beshear.  They are even talking about having their next planning meeting over waffles! 

Below is a complete summary of their questions and responses received.

1.) Will Governor Beshear support S.B. 139 and H.B. 416, the Stream Saver Bill?
    Answer:  Waffle

2.) Will the Governor create and announce a plan to end mountaintop removal and valley fills coal mining?
    Answer:  No

3.) Will Governor Beshear support H.B. 408, the Clean-Energy bill?
   Answer:  ? (Will get back to us soon once they study the bill – stay tuned for their response.)

4.) Will the Governor begin working vigorously to create new, green jobs and a new clean energy economy in Kentucky, especially for coal-producing areas and workers?
    Answer:  Yes

5.) Will Governor Beshear meet with KFTC – within a month – to talk about mountaintop removal and Kentucky’s clean energy future?
    Answer:  Yes

Here is a 7-minute video summary of their meeting.  Click on the video to watch it.

KFTC youth-led "I Love Mountains" meeting with Governor Beshear from Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on Vimeo.

Here is a 2-minute video summary of just the discussion around renewable energy possibilities in Kentucky.

"Renewable is Doable" KFTC youth meeting with Beshear Administration from Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on Vimeo.

Yesterday's I Love Mountains Day rally was a really phenomenal event.  We had approximately 850 people who marched and rallied on the steps of the Capitol, a wonderful slate of energizing speakers and musicians, and lot of good media coverage, including a front page article in the Lexington Herald-Leader.  Thanks to everyone who came out, our speakers, and those who helped organize the event.  We pulled together the video above to show some highlights from the day.  Check out our blog next week for more videos from the rally.

For those of you who won't be able to make it to I Love Mountains Day tomorrow, check back here a little before 11 a.m. to follow along with us online.  We will be streaming live video, photos, and blogging from the crowd.

Live Video

Live blogging and twitter

It is easy to forget about the big picture in life when you are confronted with the humdrum of a daily routine. For the past month I have found myself in a malaise. I have forgotten that there exists a whole community in Louisville that shares the same goals and aspirations for making Kentucky a better place to live, work and play in. Luckily, I was reminded of this community on Saturday night at the Green Building while attending Appalachian Love with 150 other Louisvillians.

Appalachian Love is an idea that harkens back to my childhood. Growing up in the foothills of the Appalachian range I was brought up with many of the values that embody Appalachian love. For me Appalachian love is the ultimate form of taking an active interest in the lives of your community. You know who everyone in your area is because of the bonds that you form during your daily business and social interactions. Everyone comes together in times of joy, sorrow, and activism. It is nearly impossible to escape this sense of community because of the need to find support in an area that is devoid outside interaction.

Before moving to Louisville, I thought that there was none of this sense of community. I found this to be false. Appalachian love in this city. The concert on Saturday was an ever constant reminder that I am part of a community where you discover that there are more people involved in similar issues than you might think. At the concert I saw people from all aspects of my life that I had no idea were involved in KFTC. It was a refreshing experience to be reminded that there are many others in Louisville that care about the same causes that I care about. -George Eklund, Jefferson County Member

Appalachian Love: 

Relic

Kate Larken

(Speakers Molly Kaviar, Myron Hardesty and Music by Thomas A Minor and the Picket Line and Catherine Irwin soon to follow)

Red State Ramblers: Groundhog from Kentuckians For The Commonwealth on Vimeo.

Performances for the evening were provided by The Wild Boogers, Rich and the Po Folks, Clack Mountain String Band, and the Red State Ramblers. Additionally, Kentucky author Erik Reece and Kentucky poet Eric Sutherland read from the stage. Central Kentucky member Tanya Turner spoke from the stage encouraging folks to attend I Love Mountains Day on February 11.

Long-time KFTC member and establishment owner Josh Miller mentioned how exciting the event is every year and how much he looks forward to opening up the Bar for such a good cause.

Numerous KFTC members volunteered their time and creative skill to make the event such a huge success and one that folks in Lexington look forward to every year. 

Thanks to Jordan Panning, Mason Colby, Erin Cutler, Josh Saxton, and everyone else who helped working the door and the merch table.  Special thanks to Brian and Sara Turner of Cricket Press (www.cricket-press.com) for producing yet another wonderful poster.  Posters are still available for $10 each. Email Tim@KFTC.org if you are interested in purchasing one.

On Saturday, 14 KFTC members came together to plan a meeting with Governor Beshear's top staff this Thursday as part of "I Love Mountains" day.  They plan on talking to the governor's staff about the problems with mountaintop removal coal mining, the need to transition away from coal and towards sustainable energy, and the opportunity for jobs and a new economy that clean energy can create for Kentucky.

They also plan on speaking to this issue with a unique perspective -- they are between the ages of 5 and 25.  They think their youth allows them to speak to the importance of investing in a clean future for Kentucky.  Stay tuned to hear about how their meeting goes and next steps that come out of the meeting. 

And this group would love to see all of you at "I Love Mountains" day this Thursday, February 11th at 11 a.m. at the State Capitol.  More information and registration can be found at www.kftc.org/love.

The Central Kentucky Chapter held a fundraiser for KFTC last Saturday at Al's Bar in Lexington. This wasn't just any old fundraiser though, it was a punk rock show! Organized by KFTC member Jack Cofer, the show featured three great bands from Lexington; the Butchers, J. Marinelli, and the Tense Kids. Also joining everyone was the all female punk trio from Chicago, 8" Betsy.

Over 60 people attended the show and raised $260 for KFTC. Jack Cofer and Katie Meyer spoke from the stage about the importance of grassroots organizing, and why people should be involved in making their communities a better place.

Don't forget to come out for the next Al's Bar KFTC fundraiser, our old-time music showcase on Saturday, February 6. Doors open at 8 p.m., and the cover is $10.

KFTC’s annual “I Love Mountains” day at the state capitol is just around the corner.  This big event, which attracts more than 1,000 Kentuckians each year, calls attention to the scale of destruction created by mountaintop removal coal mining in Kentucky and the need for a clean water and energy future.

This year the day includes a special emphasis and participation from young Kentuckians – including a youth-led delegation to meet with Governor Beshear.

KFTC has requested a meeting with Governor Beshear in the afternoon of “I Love Mountains” day on February 11. Would you like to be part of this youth-led delegation or do you know a young person within the ages of 5 and 25 who would be? 

What it involves:  Each youth would be responsible for attending a planning meeting (hopefully a face-to-face, but maybe on a conference call) with other youth group delegates, as well as the meeting with Governor Beshear on February 11 in Frankfort.  In the event that Governor Beshear is unwilling to meet with us, the youth-group will also discuss and develop an alternative plan for making our voices heard.

How to get involved:  If this sounds like you, please write a short letter telling us about yourself, how old you are, and why you are interested in talking to Governor Beshear about mountaintop removal coal mining. A committee of KFTC members will review the letters and select the delegation. Letters are due by the end of the day on Friday, January 15.  You will be notified of a decision by Friday, January 22.  And the youth group will schedule a meeting sometime between January 25 and February 6.

Spread the word:  Also, please pass this announcement along to anyone you may know who would be a great addition to the youth team! 

Where to apply:  Letters can be emailed to carissa@kftc.org or mailed to KFTC, 435-R Chestnut St, Suite 2, Berea, KY, 40403.  Please call or email Carissa Lenfert (859-893-1147) with any questions.

After warming up from the cold and grabbing a bite to eat, join with youth from all across Kentucky to discuss next steps for youth in the important fight to end mountaintop removal coal mining. We will hear a debrief from the youth delegation that meeting with the governor and formulate different ways for youth to continue to have a strong voice on mining and energy issues for the remainder of the legislative session and beyond. Join us in the Capitol Annex, room 129, at 2 p.m. Please call or email Beth Bissmeyer at (502) 751-2998 and beth@seac.org with any questions or suggestions for agenda items.