Pipelines, Fracking, and Kentucky’s Future Beyond Fossil Fuels
Landowners and organizations across Kentucky announce a summit to educate Kentuckians about the issues of natural gas liquids(NGLs), fracking, landowner rights, and local options for communities seeking a sustainable future.
Wenonah Hauter of Food & Water Watch will give the morning keynote address. Hauter is the author of Frackopolyand the founder and executive director of Food & Water Watch. Diana Moss of Renewables 100 Policy Institute will deliver the final keynote address on Kentucky’s Future Beyond Fossil Fuels.
Other speakers and panelists, including Simona Perry of the Pipeline Safety Coalition, will discuss fracking in Kentucky, repurposed NGL lines, state and federal regulations, planning and zoning for rural communities, and steps to transitioning to renewables/energy efficiency. See below for a working agenda for the day.
This year we are charging a $10 registration fee to help us cover costs. This fee is waived for volunteers and those who bring a potluck dish for our community meal. Make sure to note this when you preregister! Chefs Chris Haydenand Tony Robinson will be making a meat and a vegetarian entree. Attendees are invited to bring a side dish or dessert to contribute. Please preregister at https://kybeyondfossilfuels.com
This event is the 2016 edition of the successful 2014 and 2015 summits that followed the grassroots’ defeat of the Bluegrass Pipeline in 2013-2014. Much of Kentucky continues to be vulnerable to fracking and hazard liquids pipelines. The hydraulic fracking industry has obtained thousands of leases in the several eastern Kentucky counties that overlie the Rogersville shale formation. Out-of-state waste products from fracking have been illegally dumped in Kentucky, most notably Estill County.
Kentucky also remains in “pipeline alley” between the production to the north and the processing facilities to the south of us. In addition, Kinder Morgan company continues progress on repurposing the Tennessee pipeline from natural gas to natural gas liquids. This 70 year old pipeline is slated to begin transporting hazardous liquids in 2018. Affected counties include Greenup, Carter, Lewis, Rowan, Bath, Montgomery, Clark, Madison, Garrard, Boyle, Marion, Taylor, Greene, Hart, Metcalf, Barren, Allen, Simpson Counties.
We hope that this summit will serve Kentuckians by supplying much needed information about these significant issues. Additionally, we hope that the summit will clearly articulate safe, renewable, and economically viable energy alternatives to fossil fuels.
Sponsors of the summit include Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Kentucky Resources Council, Kentucky Heartwood, Food and Water Watch, Kentucky Conservation Committee, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Kentucky Environmental Foundation, Envision Franklin County, Frack Free Foothills, New Pioneers for a Sustainable Future, Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition, Central Kentucky Move to Amend, Sisters of Loretto, Earth Tools, Inc., Sierra Club/Cumberland Chapter, Floracliff Nature Sanctuary, Mary Ann Chamberlain, Tom and Laurie Kuhlman, Janice Schroder, Dominican Sisters of Peace, Kentucky Waterways Alliance, and Kentucky Interfaith Power and Light.
We welcome additional sponsors!
Sponsorships are $25 and up, with $100 recommended. Sponsors are invited to table at the event. Sponsorships can be sent to No Bluegrass Pipeline Fund, P.O. Box 4573, Frankfort KY 40604.
See below for our working agenda for the day.
Registration 8:30am-9am
Opening Session 9am – noon
Welcome — Chris Schimmoeller — 5 minutes
Introduction from the Front Lines: Estill County, Boyle County, Rowan County, Madison County, Marion County
Keynote — Wenonah Hauter
40 minutes, then 15 min Q & A
10 min break
Panel: Pipelines and Fracking in Kentucky — 40 minutes of presentations, then 15 min Q & A
Presenters:
- Public Health and Community Impacts — Dr. Simona Perry
- Kinder Morgan Pipeline — Craig Williams
- Regulatory Changes — Dr. Jim O’Reilly
Diana Moss– “Beyond Fossil Fuels” Keynote– 30 minutes , then 15 min Q & A
Lunch — 1.5 hours
Afternoon Session 1:30-4:30pm
Breakout workshops from 1:30-2:30pm and 3:00-4:00pm with a 30 minute break in between. The same topics offered at each session so participants can attend at least two of what’s offered.
Workshop Topics:
1) Planning and Zoning- This workshop will describe how rural communities without planning and zoning can establish minimal P&Z codes in order to protect people and important resources from harm from pipeline. It will also cover planning and zoning strategies for working in counties that already have planning and zoning. Presenters: Mark Morgan, Tom FitzGerald, Timothy Theissen
2) Renewables/Efficiency — This workshop will describe the latest advances in the transition away from fossil fuels as well as effective local measures for helping communities reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Presenters: Andy McDonald, Sam Avery, David Horton
3) Community Strategies for protecting health and economic well being — This workshop will present the latest research on health and community impacts explore tools for communities to protect themselves in advance. Presenters: Simona Perry, Jerry Hardt
4) FERC/Regs — This workshop will cover the current regulatory landscape and opportunities to change the system through lobbying, etc. Presenters: Jim O’Reilly, Lane Boldman
5) NGLs, Pipelines, Fracking, and the Environment — This workshop is a 101 course for those new to the issue and those who want a refresher on the facts about natural gas liquids (NGLs), pipelines, fracking, and the environmental impacts of the fracking industry. Presenters: Bob Pekny, Dr. Ralph Ewers, Tarence Ray
Closing 4:45pm
Optional Afternoon Activities:
1) Tour of Locust Trace’s facilities (including photovotaic system, water storage and recycling, composting, etc.) — departs from lobby at 1:30pm and 3:30pm.
2) 2pm Showing of End of the Line in the conference room.
Volunteers Needed
If you would like to help volunteer please contact Chris Schimmoeller at [email protected] or 502-226-5751 x1