News of KFTC and our issues
Black Lung Disease Rates Rise Among Appalachian Miners
May 13, 2013
Black lung disease and dust-induced lung diseases, such as emphysema and lung cancer, are on the rise among Appalachian miners.
Ky. Voices: Tax reform essential to Kentucky's future
May 4, 2013
The $1.6 billion in state budget cuts have made college less affordable, kept new textbooks out of schools and reduced access to services for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Wind energy boosts economy, jobs in Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, other rural areas
May 1, 2013
A new study concludes that wind energy production can lead to higher incomes and more local jobs, especially for rural residents. Among the more than 1,000 counties studied in the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, for the period from 2000 to 2008, "for each megawatt of wind power installed in the county," the county's personal income increased more than $2,000, from $9,300 to $11,500.
Some lawmakers question selenium regulation
April 24, 2013
Some lawmakers believe the Cabinet for Energy and Environment deliberately tried to confuse them about a controversial new regulation governing how much selenium can be discharged into Kentucky streams by mining operations.
KFTC hosts Appalachia’s Bright Future conference in Harlan
April 24, 2013
This past weekend Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC) hosted a conference, Appalachia’s Bright Future, in Harlan. The purpose of the gathering was to have an organized conversation about the opportunities and challenges within the state and region and how to effectively build the next economy here in Eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia.
Central Appalachia Asks EPA to Clean Up "Dirty" Water
April 22, 2013
Kentuckians who live in central Appalachia say they have a problem with dirty water and they don't think the state is doing enough to clean it up. So, they've joined residents of three neighboring states - Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia - on visits to regional EPA offices to ask for help.
Shortsighted on coal discharges; state wrong to rush selenium rule
April 9, 2013
Enabling further degradation of streams that are the headwaters of Kentucky's water supply can't be good for the state's economic climate or people in the long run. Such disregard for the environment will repel smart people and businesses from moving here.
Three years after Big Branch disaster, mine safety issues not fully addressed
March 30, 2013
Coal miners continue to die unnecessarily, and the lack of action by state and federal officials has something to do with this.
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