Announcements
Good News for Appalachian Communities!
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Suspends Rubber Stamp Permit in Appalachia
Read KWA's Press Release
Kentucky Waterways Alliance & Allies Celebrate Victory for a Clean Green!
In a rare move, the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet has decided to re-open proceedings on the Cash Creek (Henderson County) coal-fired energy plant’s wastewater permit, responding to the public’s concerns that pollution from the plant would degrade the Green River. Read Entire Press Release. Read KWA Comments.
Read Judy's Blog on the CJ's Kentuckianagreen website.
EPA Announces Plans to Regulate Coal Ash!
The new proposal calls for public comment on two approaches for addressing the risks of coal ash management. One option creates a comprehensive program of federally enforceable requirements for waste management and disposal. The other option gives EPA authority to set performance standards for waste management facilities and would be enforced primarily through citizen suits.
View a chart comparing and contrasting the two approaches on EPA’s website. Read entire press release.
KWA recently released a report showing the dangers of coal cumbustion waste. Read full report.
Read entire press release.
Read more about coal combustion waste.
Related News
Kentucky Waterways Alliance Praises Obama’s EPA for Standing Up to Big Coal and the Practice of Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining
“We are thrilled that EPA has taken steps to protect our streams and our communities. In issuing this guidance, EPA is doing what they are legally required to do: propose specific limits on pollutants discharged from mining operations into our water that protect human and ecological health under the Clean Water Act. We commend the Obama administration for allowing science to dictate policy," said Judith Petersen, executive director, Kentucky Waterways Alliance
Read Press Release
Download Detailed Guidance: Improving EPA Review of Appalachian Surface Coal Mining Operations Under the Clean Water Act
Download Conductivity trends in Appalachian Kentucky headwater basins: results from a citizen-science diagnostic assessment of watershed health - a study by Alice Jones, Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institue
Related News
Federal regulators move against pollution from mountaintop coal-mining (Louisville Courier-Journal)
Environmental groups cheer new EPA rule (89.3 WFPL)
Victory for Appalachian Communities and Watersheds (River Network)
Survey Results Show Extensive Ohio River Recreation and Fish Consumption
“The survey underscores what we’ve known for years, that recreation and fish consumption along the Ohio River is increasing. We all need to work together to find ways to keep bacteria and other toxins out of the water,” Judy Petersen, executive director, Kentucky Waterways Alliance.
Read More
Read the Press Release
ACTION ALERT!
Click here to learn how to protect Kentucky waters from toxic coal ash!
KWA and the Sierra Club come to an agreement in the ICG valley fill case.
Quote from KWA executive director, Judy Petersen:
“We are disappointed that yet another valley fill will be built at the Thunder Ridge site, however overall we were able to reduce the number of new fills for this permit from five down to four. While we didn’t achieve all of our objectives for this particular mine site, a result of this suit against the Corp was the halt to new Nationwide Permits for valley fills in Kentucky for over a year and the Obama administration’s closer look at valley fill permits everywhere. Hopefully, the new administration will realize that burying streams under mining waste is inconsistent with the Clean Water Act and the practice will soon end.”
Read Courier-Journal article
KWA's fundraiser in honor of Beargrass Creek was a big success! Thanks to everyone who came out to the Garner-Furnish Art Gallery to celebrate the Beargrass with us! Pictures coming soon.
Read press release. Click here for more information.
Speak Up for Clean Water!
Join us at the Trimble Power Plant Public Hearing in Bedford, KY this Thursday, November 5.
Bedford is only a 45 minute drive from Louisville. To carpool to the hearing, please meet at the Holiday Manor Center in Louisville (park in front of the Chinese Restaurant.) Cars will be departing at 5 p.m. EST. Click here for directions from the carpool to the hearing.
Can't make the hearing? Download the talking points to prepare a comment letter. You can submit to the Kentucky Division of Water
through e-mail until 4:30 EST on Thursday, November 5.
Send e-mailed comments to sara.beard@ky.gov and reference
Trimble generating Station, Louisville Gas and Electric, KPDES No. KY0041971
President Barack Obama's administration put the brakes on 79 applications for surface coal mining permits in four states Wednesday, saying they would violate the Clean Water Act. Read the EPA letter, the AP article or check out Judy's blog for more.
Newly Released Data Reveal Dangerous Levels of Selenium in Kentucky's Waterways! KWA and Other Groups Take Action! Read Press Release.
Kentucky Waterways Alliance recently held a fundraising workshop for local water groups in cooperation with River Network. Click here to download related documents from the event.
The Obama administration announced steps to end the fast-tracking of certain mountaintop removal coal mine permits and to add tougher enforcement in Appalachia! See more on Judy's blog or read article here
Want to see what we have been up to? Download our 2008 Annual Report