On eve of Big Sandy shut-down, Kentucky legislators act

kentucky energy equation

One week prior to the Kentucky Public Service Commission's hearing on Kentucky Power's plan to retire more than 1,000 megawatts of power produced in the Big Sandy region of the commonwealth, Appalachian legislators like Sens. Rand Paul and Mitch McConnell have had enough. This week, they introduced the Coal Jobs Protection Act which would put actual limits on how long the EPA can do political waltzes, delay mining permits, and seriously impact much-needed Appalachian jobs.

Another strong supporter of state sovereignty for Kentucky's energy sector, Rep. Andy Barr, R-KY, drove the point home yesterday:

"This important legislation will expedite the current mine permitting process, under which many applications have languished for years, and bring much-needed certainty back to the coal mining industry. More certainty will allow our mines to expand production and reverse this trend of job losses, both in the coal mining industry and in industries in my district that depend on a healthy coal industry.

“Ultimately, the runaway regulations coming out of this Administration are the most significant impediments to job creation. At a time when families are struggling to make ends meet and put food on the table, Congress must act to prevent the EPA from continuing to pursue its radical, job-killing agenda that is hurting the American people."

Kentucky Power's hearing will occur in Louisa, KY on May 14th, with two meetings via teleconference to follow on May 15th.