CATLETTSBURG — Two local county governments have signed resolutions supporting a pro-coal campaign.
The Boyd County Fiscal Court voted unanimously last week to join the Federation for American Coal, Energy and Security or FACES. of Coal.
Greenup County Fiscal Court members followed suit on Tuesday, said Greenup Judge-Executive Bobby Carpenter.
FACES of Coal states on its Web site — www.facesofcoal.org — that it is “an alliance of people from all walks of life who are joining forces to educate lawmakers and the general public about the importance of coal and coal mining to our local and national economies and to our nation’s energy security.”
The organization is funded by coal interests and has been linked to the Washington, D.C., public relations firm Adefero Group. It launched its Kentucky campaign last month following grassroots organizing in West Virginia this summer.
The campaign comes at a time when the coal industry is facing increased concern over mountaintop removal mining and at a time when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers are reviewing 79 proposed surface mining permits in Appalachia. Of the permits under review, 49 are for proposed projects in Kentucky while the remaining 30 are in West Virginia.
The coal industry also opposes new climate change legislation being proposed by Congress.
A representative of FACES could not be reached for comment.
Boyd County Commissioner Carl Tolliver said the court has made no other commitment to the organization other than signing the resolution, which he described as “just supporting the industry.”
“Coal is really taking a hard number now from the environmentalists. I personally hate to see the mountains destroyed but we need the coal,” he said. “I’m behind it (the industry) 100 percent.”
Carpenter shared his sentiment. “They’ve just go to come to their senses on some of this stuff,” he said.
“Anything that I can do to support coal I am going to do it and my court felt the same way. We’re all supporters of coal. We know what we have to do to keep this area going and keep our electric rates down and get good paying jobs into the area. We’re going to have to stand up for coal,” Carpenter said.
He said he was approached about the resolution through literature provided from FACES to the Kentucky County Judge-Executives Association.
Local News
Officials join pro-coal campaign
- Local News
-
-
Ohio man killed In Lewis County
A motorcyclist from Ohio was killed after crashing on Ky. 59 near Scotts Branch Road on Saturday.
-
TIM PRESTON: Karats, peaches, wings and brews, old couches and new beauty
Weekly business column from Tim Preston.
-
Come on in!
It’s time to grab a towel, some sunscreen and your shades — pools in the Tri-State are nearing their opening dates and are bound to provide some days of fun this summer.
-
Pooches take to the street in Dog Jog
They were running with the big dogs Saturday in Grayson.
-
A Smith Branch Legacy
Six generations of Robinsons have called Smith Branch home.
-
Court battle heating up over stretch of blacktop
The court fight is just heating up over a block-long stretch of blacktop in Grayson.
More parties are piling on in the lawsuit accusing Grayson of passing an illegal ordinance to take ownership of the pavement. -
Regional jails ‘a total failure’
As the debate over a proposal to create a new Northeast Regional Jail Authority continues, some officials with the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville are watching closely.
-
Beshear in West Liberty to help in tornado recovery
State legislatures and Gov. Steve Beshear gathered in West Liberty on Friday to sign three bills that will help in the recovery efforts of the tornado-stricken town.
-
Students get more than a scoop’s share
There’s nothing more refreshing than ice cream on a hot day, and no one knows that better than the principal of Hager Elementary School in Ashland.
-
2 school aides part of drug arrests
Two elementary school aides and three other people were arrested Thursday in a Carter County drug investigation.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Ohio man killed In Lewis County
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
