How to get involved at the state level
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Kentucky will receive $3.2 billion in direct funding from the federal stimulus package and more from federal competitive grant processes. Most of this money will be used to meet state budget shortfalls for program areas such as education and Medicare / Medicaid.
The Governor has created the Kentucky at Work website to track the use of these funds. You can also click here to download an excel spreadsheet with state-by-state funding information for each program area.
$665 million of this total, however, will go to transportation, energy and workforce investment areas for new projects or huge expansions on existing ones. This money could be used to fuel a “green economy” in our state. Spending this money wisely could bring us closer to accomplishing KFTC’s aims in all of our issue areas. It offers Kentucky the greatest chance in recent history to start transitioning away from reliance on dirty coal and towards a sustainable energy economy founded on good green jobs.
The five pools of money most related to KFTC work in energy and economic justice are summarized below and on this 1-page handout (click to download PDF). If you want your opinion heard about how Kentucky should use the money, follow the steps under each section.
State Energy Plan
$50.7 millionThe Governor released an outline of the way that State Energy Plan funds will be used on May 21st. Click here to read the press release - which also contains a link to the fact sheet and summary of SEP money. The federal goals for state energy plan (SEP) funds include reducing the environmental impacts of energy use and production and enhancing energy efficiency/renewable energy. There are opportunities in the plan for industries, businesses, institutions, and localities (cities and counties) to apply for money to improve energy efficiency. As more information becomes available about those opportunities, it will be published on this page and on the chapter webpages.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant
$25.4 million
These funds are intended for uses that reduce fossil fuel emissions, reduce energy use and increase energy efficiency. $10.5 million will go to the state and the rest will go directly from the federal government to large cities and counties. Click here to find out if your area will get direct EECBG funding.
The state application is due June 26 and it also will be guided by the governor’s proposed energy plan. The state is required to have a public hearing on its application - look for more details on KFTC's website about this soon.
To input on Kentucky’s intended EECBG fund use, you should submit comments on the governor's proposed energy plan. You can read KFTC's response to the plan at www.kftc.org/energyplan.
Email your comments about the plan and stimulus fund use should be emailed to energy.plan@ky.gov or mail them to Kentucky Department for Energy Development and Independence (500 Mero Street, 12th Floor, Capital Plaza Tower, Frankfort, KY 40601).
Weatherization
$70 million
These funds will be given out to local Community Action Agencies through a state program called the Clean Energy Corps (CEC). The Kentucky Housing Corporation will adminster the Clean Energy Corps program at the state level.
CEC aims to improve the energy efficiency of 10,000 low-income homes. CEC hopes to become sustainable through other income sources in order to offer rehab services to moderate income households as well. In order to accomplish these aims, CEC will use funds from the workforce investment money to train thousands of green-collar workers. We must work to ensure that this training occurs statewide and that this money is used to build a sustainable, green economy so that those trained have local jobs long after the stimulus dollars are gone.
You are eligible to get your home weatherized if your household income is at 200% of federal poverty level or below - which means a family of four earning $42,400 or less qualifies. This is a change from past years. To apply for weatherization assistance, click here and follow the link to email Jim Christian at Community Action Kentucky or call 1-(800)-456-3452. You can also bring the following documents to your county community action office to apply:
- Recorded deed fro the home, title for a mobile home or lease agreement if renting
- Proof of income for all adults, 18 or over unless a student
- 12-month usage report, showing fuel consumption and monthly charges from utility companies. If using other materials, a statement from the vendor is acceptable.
A public hearing on the state plan for this money was held on April 23rd. K.A. Owens, KFTC Steering Committee Chair, and member Mary Love presented comments.
To express your opinion about the state's weatherization spending plan, attend the next public hearing in June - look for information on KFTC's website about it.
To get involved locally, contact your Community Action Agency and voice your opinion about how these funds would best serve your community. Contact KFTC (a CEC partner) to get more involved at the state level. Find a list of community action agencies and contacts online at Community Action Kentucky.
Workforce Investment
$45 million
The two programs funded by this money are not new. As a result, Kentucky did not have to submit a spending plan for approval. However, the stimulus encourages states to use this money to equip workers with new skills for a green economy. Governor Beshear will direct a portion of the funds and some will go to statewide programs. The remaining $18 million will be divided up among 10 workforce investment boards (WIB) across the state. Each board will submit a locally based spending plan to the state, so the best way to get involved with planned spending is to contact your local WIB. A list of WIB contact information can be found by clicking here, by checking your county's stimulus page or by calling (502) 564-0372.
Transportation
$421 million
The state-spending plan for these funds is based on the Biennial Highway Plan passed this year by the Kentucky legislature. The state will not have a public comment process on the plan. Most planned projects aim to widen highways and build or repair roads. Only a handful of proposed projects will help build a green economy by investing in public transit and pedestrian access. The full list of projects by county is available online for review. Once you click on the link, scroll down to find "Kentucky" and there are four documents available that detail all projects submitted for stimulus funding by county so far.
Some large counties and cities will receive transportation funds directly from the federal government. In these areas, the planning process for how to spend these funds is happening right now. Check out the KFTC stimulus pages by chapter to find contact information for local agencies directing this process in your area.