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Citizens Speak ... Leaders Respond

 

Participants support a different direction on energy

On August 22, more than 50 concerned citizens gathered to examine how coal-fired power plants fit into the future of this region. Following a presentation of the history, data, trends and options (see “Framing the Issue” feature – July edition, Public Life Advocate), participants engaged in small group deliberation. Each group reported on the major themes that characterized their discussion and points all could agree on. Thirty-seven participants also completed a post-forum questionnaire with the following results:

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A ranking of options examined, in order of preference:
1. Conserve and invest in renewable energy alternatives: 68 percent agree strongly
24 percent agree somewhat
5 percent disagree somewhat
3 not sure
2. Allow new plants to be built, but insist on higher standards, better regulation, end loopholes and emissions trading: 50 percent agree strongly
44 percent agree somewhat
3 percent disagree somewhat
3 percent not sure
3. Halt construction of new coal-fired power plants: 42 percent disagree strongly
19 percent disagree somewhat
14 percent agree strongly
14 percent agree somewhat
11 percent not sure
4. Stay the course. No more regulation. The current system works fine: 64 percent disagree strongly
25 percent disagree somewhat
6 percent not sure
3 percent agree strongly
3 percent agree somewhat

Demographic Information of the forum attendees who completed a questionnaire:
51 percent are between 45 and 60 years of age
24 percent are over 65 years of age
19 percent are between 30 and 44 years of age
5 percent are under 30 years of age
61 percent are men
39 percent are women
49 percent reside in the city of Owensboro
29 percent reside outside the city in Daviess County
22 percent live outside Owensboro-Daviess County
All are white
76 percent have a college degree or more
11 percent have completed some college coursework
13 percent have not completed any college coursework
86 percent vote in every election
14 percent vote in most elections
83 percent say that a candidate’s position on coal-burning power plants would be a pivotal issue that determines their vote
17 percent say it would not be a pivotal issue
Other participant responses:
Our priorities should focus on protecting the environment and the public over economic development and employment.
Participants would be willing to pay higher taxes and utility rates for cleaner, safer air and water.

To reduce our dependence on foreign oil, we should not increase coal production at the risk of environmental quality. However, we should increase coal production if environmental safeguards are in place, but reduce/phase out coal production and invest in clean, renewable energy alternatives.
New power plants should be built as older, more polluting plants are phased out.
To reduce environmental and public health dangers, Kentucky should stop building power plants that serve other areas.
However, participants consider Kentucky’s coal reserves to represent a unique and valuable resource that should be maximized through mining and coal-fired power plants, while also finding alternatives to coal because mining is dangerous, harmful to the landscape and ecosystem, and the burning of coal pollutes our air and water.
Coal mining is an important occupation for our region and should be supported while safety is improved.
Participants were evenly split on whether or not surface mining reclamation leaves the land in good, if not better condition, than it was before the mining occurred.
Participants strongly agreed that mountaintop removal in eastern Kentucky is devastating to the environment and should be prohibited.

 

A complete report on the forum results and participant questionnaire responses, including demographic data on the participants, is available on the Public Life Foundation’s website: www.plfo.org.

Responses from elected officials and energy-environmental policy makers will be published in the next edition.

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