EcoEKY: Green News from Eastern Kentucky

from the Pikeville Appalachian News Express:

Be air quality aware

May. 4, 2008

The Kentucky Division for Air Quality works hard every day to help ensure clean air for all Kentuckians — inspecting air pollution sources, responding to complaints from citizens, and maintaining a statewide monitoring network. But individuals also have a role to play in keeping our air clean. Every time you use energy — whether burning wood, gasoline, diesel, or electricity — you are contributing to air pollution in your community and those downwind of you.

Ozone and particle-forming pollutants come from a number of sources. Mobile sources like cars and trucks account for over 25 percent of air pollution in the United States. In Kentucky, power plants, industry and open burning are the largest sources of pollution. Illegal backyard burning is estimated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to be the largest non-point source of dioxin pollution in the United States. Dioxin is a toxic air pollutant that has been associated with cancer, birth defects and nervous system damage, and is released when anything containing chlorine, like plastic, is burned. Natural sources like wildfires also contribute to particle pollution.

Saving energy helps your pocketbook as well as your lungs. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

* The Division for Air Quality will be giving away energy-efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs at the Governor’s Derby Breakfast in Frankfort on May 3; come by to get yours.

* Purchase ENERGY STAR- rated products, from light bulbs and appliances to home entertainment systems.

* Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature.

* Keep your vehicle maintained and your tires properly inflated.

* Mow your lawn and refuel your vehicle during cooler morning and evening hours.

* Combine errands and reduce car trips whenever possible.

* Avoid burning trash, which is illegal and highly polluting.

National Air Quality Week, April 28 - May 2, 2008, creates an opportunity for Kentuckians to “Be Air Aware.” Information on air quality is available at the division Web site, www.air.ky.gov.

from Pol Watchers, the Lexington Herald-Leader's political blog:

April 15, 2008

Could an energy bill be a seed for bicameral agreement?

The last crucial work day of the Kentucky General Assembly began Tuesday with the merging of two energy bills -- one from the House and one from the Senate -- aimed at making Kentucky's government, small businesses and homes more efficient.

The Senate's Appropriations and Revenue Committee blessed the marriage of H.B. 2, offered by House Democratic Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, to S.B. 165, a measure sponsored by independent Sen. Bob Leeper of Paducah.

The full Senate and House now must approve the new mega-energy-efficiency bill before midnight when all legislative work for this session must be completed.

Adkins' energy bill would provide tax credits for home builders to construct more efficient and "green" houses as well as home buyers to purchase U.S. Department of Energy-approved Energy Star appliances.

"If we’re going to have a comprehensive and balanced energy policy in Kentucky, then we have to look at all the energy opportunities that we have,” Adkins said. “I think that energy efficiency and conservation and renewable energy opportunities are a big part of us trying to achieve the type of policy in Kentucky to reach energy independence in this country."

If the bill is approved, taxpayers could apply for credits on their 2009 tax forms for purchases made after Jan. 1, 2009.

It's unclear how much those new state tax credits -- which Adkins said will be structured similar to the federal tax credits -- will cost Kentucky in revenue, said Adkins, of Sandy Hook. But the costs wouldn't be seen until the second year of the 2009-2010 biennium.

But whatever the cost will be, Leeper's bill should free up enough cash to cover it, said Leeper.

Leeper initially proposed $50 million worth of bonds to be sold to cover low-interest loans to small businesses to purchase energy efficient electronics and make their buildings better insulated. But he agreed to reduce that amount to $30 million in bond funds to free up money to cover the tax credits in Adkins' H.B. 2.

"It ends up being a bottom line wash," Leeper said.

His legislation also calls for $50 million in bond funds to pay for state government buildings to be fitted with energy efficient lightbulbs, windows and other more efficient components. Energy savings will cover the annual payments on those bonds.

Both Adkins and Leeper denied that the pairing of their bills was part of a broader game of horse trading. Instead, it was something that came together two weeks ago when both men were working on crafting the state budget.

"It's just good, sound policy," Leeper said.

- Ryan Alessi