BEREA, Ky. - Fears of fracking have reached the foothills of central and eastern Kentucky, prompting concerned citizens to quickly organize. Landowners in Madison, Rockcastle and Jackson counties say "land men" from energy companies have been hounding them to sign leases for their property's mineral rights.
The worries about hydraulic fracking drew hundreds of people to an informational meeting in Berea this week, including Janice Owens, who owns 30 acres on Clear Creek in Rockcastle County.
"It's emotional," says Owens. "It's emotional, it really is. We want to protect our home for our children."
The natural gas industry's potential development of the deep shale formation, known as the Rogersville Shale, has raised concerns about water and air pollution, truck traffic and a maze of pipelines.
But, the Kentucky Oil and Gas Association defends the technology. It's statement is: "Horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing are proven and safe methods of maximizing oil and gas production."
Vicki Spurlock, who owns four a half acres in the Red Lick area of Madison County, says one of her neighbors has already signed a lease.
"I came here worried and concerned and I'm leaving here scared," Spurlock says. "There are a lot of people that have signed that don't know the truth, or the whole facts, of what damages can be done."
Spurlock and others say they have been offered $30 an acre for their land's mineral rights.
Tom FitzGerald, who heads the Kentucky Resources Council, an environmental advocacy group, told the citizens the leases were not drafted with the landowners' rights and protections in mind.
"They were drafted to be as broad as possible," he says. "To require as little as possible and to shed as many responsibilities as possible in order to maximize the profit."
FitzGerald says Kentucky's laws are not adequate to deal with fracking. He expects a bill will be filed during this year's legislative session to close the "gaps in the regulations."
The industry's association, Kentucky Oil and Gas Association, claims, "state government has very strong regulations to protect fresh water aquifers and the environment."
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A proposed pumped-storage hydroelectric facility for Cuffs Run near the Susquehanna River in York County has been challenged by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The foundation filed a motion to intervene in the proceedings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, which is considering granting a preliminary permit to build a 1.8-mile-long dam for the project.
Harry Campbell, science policy and advocacy director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, said they are working to stop the project in order to protect the unique Cuffs Run area and its ecological benefits for future generations.
"If approved, this project would destroy it about 580 acres of prime farmland, fields and forests, some of which have not been disturbed in about 100 years," Campbell pointed out. "Those farms, fields and forests exist harmoniously with and in support of a plethora of plant and animal life."
The foundation is circulating an online petition and encouraged Pennsylvanians to provide comments before Sunday.
The stream is home to naturally reproducing brook trout. Advocates worry the $2.5 billion project would also be harmful to the Susquehanna River. Campbell noted about 40 families would be displaced.
"For those who call Cuffs Run home, it's more than just a place to live. It's their heritage and they want it to be part of their legacy," Campbell asserted. "This project just simply is the wrong idea in the wrong place. In order to honor that heritage and that legacy, we need to preserve this area."
Campbell emphasized the Cuffs Run project is about 993 acres of land draining into a 2.5-mile unnamed tributary. He added in terms of stream habitat, the rocks, pebbles and woody material have been identified as among the best in the region for supporting critters living in the water.
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Tennesseans want more say in how the Tennessee Valley Authority plans for their future electricity needs and a bill now in Congress could give the public more influence.
The "TVA Increase Rate of Participation Act," would require a more open decision-making process for the utility.
Brianna Knisley, director of public power campaigns for Appalachian Voices, said the TVA is currently developing its new Integrated Resource Plan to meet future energy demands. The bill would require more public participation in the plan's proceedings.
"Right now the stakeholders who get to provide input early on in the IRP process are all hand-selected by TVA," Knisley pointed out. "You can't choose to be in that IRP working group. And those are the only folks who get substantial input in the architecture of the IRP, as it's being designed."
The utility serves more than 10 million people across six states. The TVA said it is reviewing the legislation. A draft of the plan will be published at a later date. The TVA said it already has a "robust stakeholder engagement plan."
After the plan is released, Knisley noted public input happens during what's known as the scoping phase of the National Environmental Policy Act. Open houses are set up, where the TVA answers questions from the public. Knisley encouraged Tennesseans to raise any of their concerns during the public and virtual hearings.
"I think additional public input into our region's long-term energy plan is only going to strengthen outcomes," Knisley contended. "And make that long-term energy plan better meet the needs of the Tennessee Valley, as a whole."
She added it is important for Tennesseans to work with Congress on the best way to improve public input in the TVA decision-making process.
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Pennsylvania's wild trout streams are getting some much-needed attention and outdoor enthusiasts across the state can voice their views on safeguarding fisheries.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has collected data on 24 proposed Wild Trout Streams, recommending they receive official designation to preserve their "exceptional" trout habitats.
Nate Walters, coldwater unit leader for the commission, said protecting streams supports healthy, self-sustaining wild trout populations, which in turn is vital for water quality.
"It's important to protect them from any kind of human impacts that can further degrade these streams," Walters asserted. "Again, it's important to protect these streams for the water quality and habitat protection standpoint, whether it's for instream or the wetlands surrounding the streams."
Walters pointed out all Pennsylvania residents can submit public comments about the Wild Trout Streams designations online. Pennsylvania has more than 80,000 miles of streams and rivers, most of which support fishing, kayaking and boating activities.
Alexandra Kozak, Pennsylvania field manager for the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, said officially adding streams to the state's Wild Trout Stream roster will not only preserve world-class fishing opportunities but boost local economies and tourism.
"We have a $58 billion outdoor recreation economy," Kozak explained. "Considering that roughly 40% of the streams across the state are not suitable for fishing, swimming or even drinking water, according to the DEP, it makes sense to safeguard these exceptional waterways that are already meeting top standards, that can continue to support our outdoor recreation and then continue to drive, you know, our economy."
Kozak noted their 2020 survey showed 1.2 million Pennsylvanians fished local waterways. She added local businesses like fly shops, fishing guides and bait stores benefit from anglers visiting these areas.
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