The world has changed for coal utilities in recent years – and we’re working to get the Commonwealth to take note.

The past couples years have brought rapid and dramatic changes – including the deepest recession in 80 years; the credit crisis; dramatic swings in the relative costs of coal; a new political landscape; and a powerful and growing clean energy movement.  Adding to this, we’ve witnessed the implementation of new renewable energy sources in some neighboring states coupled with efforts towards new federal policies aimed at curbing pollution and internalizing the costs of dirty energy.  Across America, over 100 proposed coal-fired power plants have been abandoned.

So why hasn’t Kentucky taken the hint?

At home in the Commonwealth,  coal costs the state of Kentucky over $115 million every year – yet our public officials fight to keep the industry alive.   From the University of Kentucky to the Governor’s Office – public state institutions and officials have deep ties with the coal industry.  However, there is a growing call to change that.

Young people around the state – reinforced by growing movement of citizen leaders of all stripes -  are urging Kentucky to build a clean energy economy beyond coal.  Just this week, almost 100 young people attended a Beyond Coal meeting at the University of Kentucky and tonight hundreds more will attend a critical public hearing in Clark County, KY on a proposed coal-fired power plant.

For the public hearing this evening – students, local residents, health workers, retired coal miners, faith leaders and ally organizations – will urge the Kentucky Division of Air to stand on the side of public health for the Commonwealth.  As young people who would be living down wind from this proposed plant – we belive there’s a better future for our state and for the direction of our nation.

You can follow tonight’s hearing on twitter:  https://twitter.com/NewPowerForKY  using this hash-tag: #STOPSMITH.