Chuck
August 12th, 2005, 09:46 PM
FRANKFORT -- A state environmental hearing officer's recommendation
Tuesday that the state remand the air quality permit it issued for a
coal-fired power plant in western Kentucky drew a strong reaction today
from some state lawmakers.
The state permit for the plant has been challenged by environmental
groups since it was issued to Thoroughbred Energy in 2002. State hearing
officer Janet Thompson's recommendation that the Division of Air Quality
reconsider the plant's impact on the environment now goes to Kentucky
Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet Secretary LaJuana Wilcher.
Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, has worked with the state and
Thoroughbred Energy for at least four years to bring the 1500-megawatt
electricity generation plant to Muhlenberg County. He urged Wilcher not
to accept Thompson's recommendation.
"I think the right decision will be made," Yonts said at today's meeting
of the General Assembly's Special Subcommittee on Energy. "I urge her to
promptly make that decision."
Plans for the plant, expedited by increased emphasis on coal, were laid
in 2000 when the Kentucky House of Representatives passed legislation
filed by Rep. Jim Gooch, D-Providence. That legislation allows the state
to give tax credits to power plants that burn Kentucky coal and to
companies that build power plants in Kentucky.
Gooch, who is chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environment
Committee, told the subcommittee that coal is vital to reducing
America's dependence on foreign energy.
"The only way we're going to be able to have national security is if we
have a dependable supply we can control," he said, adding that Kentucky
is in "a key position" to helping solve the nation's energy crisis.
"We can actively step up and help this nation provide low-cost fuel...,"
said Gooch.
Gooch said the issue will be discussed in more depth by the General
Assembly's Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Aug. 25.
Sen. Jerry Rhoads, D-Madisonville, told the subcommittee that coal
continues to hold great promise for Muhlenberg County. He said state and
local leaders are pulling together in support of the power plant, which
is expected to boost the county's coal economy.
Saying that one coal mining job is worth two factory jobs, Rhoads
emphasized how important it is for Kentucky to return to its coal roots.
He said a new program at Madisonville Community College that trains coal
miners is helping to make that happen.
"We have gotten away from coal and unfortunately we have lost a whole
generation of coal miners," said Rhoads. "In effect, what we are doing
now (at MCC) is diversifying back to coal."
Tuesday that the state remand the air quality permit it issued for a
coal-fired power plant in western Kentucky drew a strong reaction today
from some state lawmakers.
The state permit for the plant has been challenged by environmental
groups since it was issued to Thoroughbred Energy in 2002. State hearing
officer Janet Thompson's recommendation that the Division of Air Quality
reconsider the plant's impact on the environment now goes to Kentucky
Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet Secretary LaJuana Wilcher.
Rep. Brent Yonts, D-Greenville, has worked with the state and
Thoroughbred Energy for at least four years to bring the 1500-megawatt
electricity generation plant to Muhlenberg County. He urged Wilcher not
to accept Thompson's recommendation.
"I think the right decision will be made," Yonts said at today's meeting
of the General Assembly's Special Subcommittee on Energy. "I urge her to
promptly make that decision."
Plans for the plant, expedited by increased emphasis on coal, were laid
in 2000 when the Kentucky House of Representatives passed legislation
filed by Rep. Jim Gooch, D-Providence. That legislation allows the state
to give tax credits to power plants that burn Kentucky coal and to
companies that build power plants in Kentucky.
Gooch, who is chairman of the House Natural Resources and Environment
Committee, told the subcommittee that coal is vital to reducing
America's dependence on foreign energy.
"The only way we're going to be able to have national security is if we
have a dependable supply we can control," he said, adding that Kentucky
is in "a key position" to helping solve the nation's energy crisis.
"We can actively step up and help this nation provide low-cost fuel...,"
said Gooch.
Gooch said the issue will be discussed in more depth by the General
Assembly's Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Aug. 25.
Sen. Jerry Rhoads, D-Madisonville, told the subcommittee that coal
continues to hold great promise for Muhlenberg County. He said state and
local leaders are pulling together in support of the power plant, which
is expected to boost the county's coal economy.
Saying that one coal mining job is worth two factory jobs, Rhoads
emphasized how important it is for Kentucky to return to its coal roots.
He said a new program at Madisonville Community College that trains coal
miners is helping to make that happen.
"We have gotten away from coal and unfortunately we have lost a whole
generation of coal miners," said Rhoads. "In effect, what we are doing
now (at MCC) is diversifying back to coal."