Kentuckians will have the opportunity this spring to help shape a new Empower Kentucky Plan to map out an energy future for Kentucky.
The Empower Kentucky Plan will be developed through diverse public input, including ideas generated at a series of “A Seat at the Table” community conversations hosted by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth (KFTC) in April and May.
It is envisioned as a strategy that grows jobs, benefits health, and addresses racial and economic inequality while working to reduce the risks of climate change.
In Northern Kentucky, an event is scheduled for April 26, at the Life Learning Center, 20 West 18th Street, in Covington.
“We all have something to contribute in this move toward a clean energy economy,” said KFTC Executive Committee member Elizabeth Sanders. “These ‘Seat At The Table’ events will be inclusive of a broad spectrum of Kentuckians, and will allow us to lead and shape the conversations about the clean energy future we want to see, which is how it should be.”
London, KY-based KFTC is a grassroots organization focused on social justice with field offices throughout the state.
A Seat at the Table community dinner conversations are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in each Congressional district, as follows:
April 12: Lexington, Lyric Theater
April 14: Bowling Green, Corsair Distillery
April 19: Hindman, Hindman Settlement School
April 26: Covington, Life Learning Center
May 24: Louisville, First Unitarian Church
May 26: Paducah, River Discovery Center
During these engaging events, participants will enjoy a locally sourced meal, consider their relationship with energy, and share their vision and ideas about Kentucky’s energy future. Each event also will feature fun and interactive presentations, cultural performances and informational displays
The six regional gatherings will be supplemented by smaller community gatherings, house parties, online surveys and listening sessions that began last fall.
KFTC’s effort to gather public input is in response to the Bevin administration’s decision to cancel its plans for public hearings. The hearings were required under the Clean Power Plan rule issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to limit carbon pollution from existing power plants.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently put a hold on implementing that plan while legal issue are resolved in the lower courts. While many states are continuing to seek public input and prepare new energy plans, Kentucky officials have chosen not to move forward.
“Governor Bevin canceling the planned public hearings doesn’t mean climate change is canceled. It doesn’t mean the economy in East Kentucky and across the state has miraculously recovered,” Sanders said. “It is our responsibility as Kentuckians to move forward with a shared vision for our energy future. Our future can’t afford to wait for any of our political leaders who pay lip service to a bright future with both feet planted firmly in the past.”
There is no cost to participants, but seating is limited and reservations are required. Free tickets will be available online by April 1 for events in April and by May 1 for events in May here .
For more information about the events, click here or contact Lisa Abbot at lisa@kftc.org .
Kentuckians For The Commonwealth
This event is very important for all Kentuckians. We are currently experiencing the decline of the coal industry and beginning to move into an era where Ky will move away from coal as a primary source of our electricity. Greater energy efficiency measures and use of renewable energy like solar and wind are the wave of the future. With the movement away from fossil fuels to clean energy, thousands of well paying jobs will be created. KY cannot afford to continue the foot dragging of our political leaders, so KFTC with its state 10.000 members, is forging ahead with a plan to move the state forward.