State of Appalachia in State of the Union?

Today, on his blog Coal Tattoo, Ken Ward asked “What should President Obama say about the coal industry’s future in his State of the Union address?” We want to hear your thoughts too–whether in the comments here, or over at Coal Tattoo. What are you expecting to hear about coal and about Appalachia’s Transition more broadly tonight? Ken writes: The pundit class of our country is, of course, in a frenzy about tonight’s State of the Union address, with everyone offering views about what President Obama will say and what he should say. David Roberts over at Grist, for example, wants President Obama to say: … I plan to vigorously defend the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to implement reasonable measures to reduce climate pollution. As the agency carries on with the work of the Clean Air and Water Acts, some of the most successful and cost-effective public health programs in the nation’s history, I will veto any bill that attempts to take them backwards. When we make our people healthier and our industries more efficient, we make our economy stronger. There is no conflict between clean air and prosperity. They are complements, each a measure of America’s strength and confidence. So, why shouldn’t Coal Tattoo get into the act? I’d like to hear from readers on various sides of coal industry issues … what would you like to hear President Obama say about coal? And how about we try to get beyond easy sound-bites and stuff like, “I want...

Ky. Students Can Apply for Grants to Save Energy

As reported Monday, by the Associated Press: FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky school students who work to save energy or make schools more energy efficient could receive $800 grants to pay for the projects. The Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools program funds may also be used to reduce school waste, conserve water or plant trees. The program is administered by the Kentucky Environmental Education Council using stimulus funds. The Education and Workforce Development Cabinet says that since the program began in the fall of 2009, 17 grants have been awarded. For more information, visit the Kentucky Green and Healthy Schools website at http://www.greenschools.ky.gov . About Kristin TraczKristin Tracz served MACED’s Research and Policy team from 2009-2012 working on clean energy policy, energy efficiency programs and the Appalachian Transition Initiative. She joined MACED after finishing her Master of Environmental Management degree at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. She now lives and works in Washington,...

Farmer Incentives to Go Green in 2011

The [Kentucky] Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy (GOAP) today announced the availability of applications for the 2011 ARRA On-farm Energy Efficiency & Production Incentives Program. Applications are due to GOAP postmarked no later than Feb. 28, 2011. “In October 2009, I announced the availability of stimulus funds for on-farm energy efficiency improvements in Kentucky,” said Gov. Steve Beshear. “Since that announcement, this program has provided 90 of Kentucky’s farmers with nearly threequarters of a million dollars to make improvements to their operations.” On-farm energy incentives are made possible through the Renewable Energy Partnership between GOAP and the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Department for Energy Development and Independence. Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). “Over the last several years, reducing energy usage and developing alternative sources of energy have become critical issues for Kentucky agriculture,” stated Roger Thomas, executive director of GOAP. “This program is helping Kentucky’s farm families improve on-farm energy efficiency, and the projects already approved are estimated to save more than 56.7 billion BTUs of energy per year.” For questions about the application process for the ARRA On-farm Energy Incentives Program, please contact GOAP at or . (Gov. Beshear’s Communication Office, Jan. 13, 2011) About Kristin TraczKristin Tracz served MACED’s Research and Policy team from 2009-2012 working on clean energy policy, energy efficiency programs and the Appalachian Transition Initiative. She joined MACED after finishing her Master of Environmental Management degree at the Yale School...

How Ohio Became a Leading Wind and Solar Component Manufacturer...

Solar and wind energy can be key components to building a new economy that transitions Central Appalachia to a more just, sustainable and prosperous future. Expanding renewable energy production can save jobs or create new ones, without forcing residents to choose between clean air and good incomes. The Solar and Wind Energy Supply Chain in Ohio, a recent report from the Environmental Law & Policy Center , highlights Ohio’s success at retooling manufacturing businesses to produce new equipment for the growing clean energy economy. It outlines several factors that have helped Ohio become a leading wind and solar component manufaturer. From the report: • Supportive Policy – the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard. Ohio has enacted legislation supporting the development of renewable energy in the state, including an Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard, wind and solar tax reforms, and a system benefit charge that provides project incentives. • State Investment in Clean Energy Jobs. The Ohio Energy Gateway Fund is a public-private partnership that will invest $40 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to be matched by two venture capital funds. The goal of the fund is to create jobs in Ohio’s advanced energy sector. • Established Manufacturing Base and Trained Workforce. Ohio has a strong manufacturing base and trained workforce. Many of these manufacturers and skilled workers are well-suited to meet the demand from the growing renewable energy market. • Central Location with Proven Transportation and Logistics. Ohio’s manufacturing sector has benefited from its central location and transportation...

Biofuels Group Offering Grants to Ky. High Schools

As reported this morning by the Associated Press: FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Biofuels for Schools Program is offering grants to high schools in the state that design projects to teach, produce and use biofuels in their schools and community. The grants range from $500 to $2,000, and proposals are due by March 16. The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet says selected schools will receive introductory biodiesel laboratory kits for 20 students in addition to the funds to support development of a teaching, production and training program. More information and an application are available at http://www.bio-schools.org. About Kristin TraczKristin Tracz served MACED’s Research and Policy team from 2009-2012 working on clean energy policy, energy efficiency programs and the Appalachian Transition Initiative. She joined MACED after finishing her Master of Environmental Management degree at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. She now lives and works in Washington,...

GE Contest Seeks Best Ideas for Home Energy Efficiency & Using Renewable Electricity...

As first posted by Jaymi Heimbuch on TreeHugger 1/18/11: GE has announced a new competition, called Powering Your Home. For anyone with a solid concept about home energy creation, management and use, it's your chance to partner up with GE to make turn that idea into reality. Check out the contest rules and more details on GE's website. About Kristin TraczKristin Tracz served MACED’s Research and Policy team from 2009-2012 working on clean energy policy, energy efficiency programs and the Appalachian Transition Initiative. She joined MACED after finishing her Master of Environmental Management degree at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. She now lives and works in Washington,...

Workshops to Help Virginia’s Small Businesses Reach Customers...

Two workshops are being offered by Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Geospatial Extension Program this month to help small businesses use technology to reach potential customers. Roadside Advertising in a Digital Age will walk business owners through the process of registering their businesses on multiple national business databases used by GPS and smartphone applications, such as TomTom, Garmin, iPhone and Blackberry. Participants will also learn how to leverage free online tools to support their Internet marketing efforts. Tuesday January 18th.9 a.m. to noon $40. In Making Maps the Google Way, participants will explore the basics of Google Earth and Google Maps to learn how to make these tools work for their community or business, with a special focus on creating maps to share with others. Tuesday January 18th. 1 to 4 p.m.$40. Participants may attend both sessions, which will be held in the Alderman Electronic Classroom at the Alderman Library on the University of Virginia campus. To register, click here. For more information, contact John McGee at . About Kristin TraczKristin Tracz served MACED’s Research and Policy team from 2009-2012 working on clean energy policy, energy efficiency programs and the Appalachian Transition Initiative. She joined MACED after finishing her Master of Environmental Management degree at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. She now lives and works in Washington,...

EPA Vetoes Largest Mountaintop Removal Permit: New Era of Civility in the Coalfields?...

This post originally appeared on the Huffington Post on Jan 13. by Jeff Biggers It’s been a long time coming. Now it’s final. Lisa Jackson and the EPA have gone to the mountaintop removal and announced its veto of the largest mountaintop removal mining permit in Appalachia. “This ushers in a new era of civility in the coalfields,” said long-time coalfields justice leader Bo Webb. He added: “I think Judy Bonds just sent us all a little smile,” referring to the recent passing of the “godmother” of the anti-mountaintop removal movement. Invoking the rule of law and science in the central Appalachian coalfields, the EPA just announced its long awaited and extensively researched decision today to veto the 2,300-acre mountaintop removal mining permit at the Spruce No. 1 Mine in West Virginia. Basing their ruling on 404 (c) of the Clean Water Act, the EPA concluded that the proposed mine would have “unacceptable adverse effect on municipal water supplies, shellfish beds and fishery areas (including spawning and breeding areas), wildlife, or recreational areas.” This final determination overrules the Army Corps of Engineer’s earlier approval of the Logan County mine. In addition, the EPA noted: The project, as permitted, will bury 6.6 miles of Pigeonroost Branch, Oldhouse Branch, and their tributaries under excess spoil generated by surface coal mining operations. These streams represent some of the last remaining least-disturbed, high quality stream and riparian resources within the Headwaters Spruce Fork sub-watershed and the Coal River sub-basin and contain important wildlife...