PINEVILLE — ”Coal is the salvation of Southeastern Kentucky,” said Jim Roan, of Bell County. Roan was one of several citizens and speakers that addressed the Legislative Research Commission Special Subcommittee on Energy that met Friday at the lodge at Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
The meeting touched on issues that could effect every resident in the state of Kentucky. One key topic was the use of coal as a primary fuel source for utilities in Kentucky and how to help keep the environment clean while continuing to use coal. Other issues discussed were concerns in legislation about the reduction of carbon emissions; energy efficiency and conservation; effects of new legislation on the coal industry and alternative energy sources, including the costs involved for Kentucky residents while a transition is made to also rely on these alternative energies.
Can Kentucky continue to use coal as a main source of energy and still be able to meet environmental safety standards set by the government? According to some of the speakers, and several private citizens, the answer is ‘yes’. With proper time and resources, cleaning up coal can happen and Ky. can lead the way in using coal in conjunction with other energies.
Another issue that was touched on was the research and development of refining coal into liquid transportation fuels.
“Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water when you’re talking to certain people that basically have some different views on energy,” said John Combs, a local resident and representative of the company, Saminco. At Senator Brandon Smith’s urging, Combs discussed a sample of an alternative fuel being developed by SAMINCO. More information about this company can be found at www.saminco.com.
When the discussion turned to natural gas use in Ky., Pineville Mayor Bob Madon had a few questions and comments for the subcommittee. Mayor Madon wanted to know if any of the members had received any complaints about gas drilling and logging in Southeastern Kentucky. Senator Smith said that they had received a few complaints and cited one incident in particular in Perry County.
“It used to be a beautiful drive from here to Barbourville. Now it isn’t. The whole mountainside on the right-hand side is raped. What the natural gas hasn’t bothered, the drilling, they’re taking all the timber,” Mayor Madon exclaimed. Senator Smith said that Mayor Madon’s point was well-taken and asked the subcommittee members to respond to Mayor Madon. Subcommittee members declined comment.
Senator Smith went on to say that he thought everyone on the subcommittee felt the same way in that they supported logging and mining when it was done in accordance with law, but when it was done in a fashion with disregard to the law it was “a slap in the face to this committee and a slap in the face to the citizens of the Commonwealth.”
In a letter to Senator Mitch McConnell which was presented to the subcommittee, David L. Armstrong, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, said “Coal is good for Kentucky. It is a powerful driver of the Ky. economy and is the chief reason that Kentucky’s electric rates are among the lowest in the nation. According to the Energy Information Administration, 93.1 percent of all electricity generated in Ky. in 2007 was produced by coal-fired facilities. Kentucky’s reliance upon coal to generate electricity is nearly twice that of the national average.”
“Given Kentucky’s reliance on coal, Kentucky will not easily or rapidly transition to new alternatives,” said Stephanie Stumbo, Executive Director of the Public Service Commission. She went on to say that time was the most “critical element” when it came to allowing transitions in the use of coal and “clean coal technology.”
“Coal is still the cheapest source of energy for the state of Ky.,” Executive Director Stumbo concluded.
Michelle Martin is a staff writer for the Middlesboro Daily News and can be reached via e-mail at mmartin@middlesborodailynews.com.
Pictured is John Combs, a local resident and representative of the company, Saminco. At Senator Brandon Smith’s urging, Combs discussed a sample of an alternative fuel being developed by Saminco with members of the Legislative Research Commission Special Subcommittee on Energy. (BRANDY CALVERT/ Middlesboro Daily News)
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