EcoEKY: Green News from Eastern Kentucky

from the Lexington Herald Leader:

School project generates student interest in 'green' jobs

The Associated Press


RUSSELL, Ky. -- An eastern Kentucky school is generating student interest in "green jobs" by using more alternative energy sources.

The Russell Area Technology Center plans to install six solar panels on the roof of an outbuilding next week, teacher Doug Keaton said. Students installed a wind turbine at the school a year ago.

The wind and solar systems will be wired into the school's electrical system and will supply enough power to light the technology center building, Keaton said. It is expected to cut about $6,000 per year from the district's electricity bills, Keaton said.

Although the savings is nice, Keaton said the interest generated for students in alternative energy careers is more important.

"These guys are being trained for the green jobs of the future," he said.

Senior Shawn Stephens said he was impressed by what he learned about the cleanliness and cost effectiveness of solar and wind energy.

"This has helped me choose my career path," said Stephens, who plans to attend Shawnee State University and become an environmental engineer.

Junior Jaren Bowen said he learned that alternative energy systems are practical for home applications.

"I didn't think it would work on a small scale," he said. "I thought it would have to be like the huge wind farms. But it's really cost-effective."

which are about the size of a couple of sheets of plywood

Keaton said he plans to share details of his energy science program with educators from technology centers in other Kentucky counties.

Meanwhile, he has been working with physics and science teachers at Russell High School and plans to work with math teacher Carol Stephens in the fall.

Stephens said she will teach trigonometry, which can be used to design and build wind turbines.

"I can associate the math with the practical applications," she said.

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from the Ashland Daily Independent:

Solar saving

Panels at Russell ATC will save big bucks in district

By MIKE JAMES
Published: May 21, 2008 11:03 pm

RUSSELL — All together, the six solar panels on a workbench at the Russell Area Technology Center are about as big as a couple of sheets of plywood.

But once they’re installed on the roof of an outbuilding, they’ll start saving money for the Russell School District.

Together with a wind turbine students installed a year ago, the panels are expected to cut about $6,000 per year from district electricity bills, said Doug Keaton, a teacher at the school.

The wind and solar systems will be wired into the school’s electrical system and will supply enough juice to light the ATC building, he said. In terms more familiar to homeowners, it will be enough electricity to power a 1,000-square-foot house.

The solar arrays — two sets of three panels each — should be ready to install Monday and the entire system should be up and running by Sept. 1.

Keaton’s records show that in the year since the wind turbine was installed, the breeze has blown briskly enough to generate usable electricity on 320 days.

The combined solar and wind project is generating one thing that is even more important than electricity. That is interest in alternative energy careers, Keaton believes. “These guys are being trained for the green jobs of the future,” he said.

“This has helped me choose my career path,” said senior Shawn Stephens, who plans to attend Shawnee State University and become an environmental engineer. He’s impressed by what he has learned about the cleanliness and cost effectiveness of solar and wind energy.

Also impressive, said junior Jaren Bowen, is that alternative energy systems are practical for home applications.

“I didn’t think it would work on a small scale,” he said. “I thought it would have to be like the huge wind farms. But it’s really cost-effective.”

Keaton plans to meet at Russell with educators from area technology centers in several other Kentucky counties to walk them through his energy science program. His guests will then launch similar programs in their schools.

He has been collaborating with physics and science teachers at Russell High School and this fall will also collaborate with math teacher Carol Stephens as well.

Among other things, Stephens said, she will teach trigonometry, useful in such technical applications as designing and building wind turbines.

“I can associate the math with the practical applications,” she said.

MIKE JAMES can be reached at mjames@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2652.

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from the (Pikeville) Medical Leader:

EKSC to construct permanent exhibit: Governor OKs $400,000 grant for energy-themed project

By: Mary Music - mary.music@pikevillehospital.org, Staff Writer
Published: 05/16/2008

PRESTONSBURG — The Eastern Kentucky Science Center is a step closer to constructing a new interactive energy exhibit after Governor Steve Beshear recommended his approval of a $400,000 grant.

Beshear and Tony Wilder, the commissioner of the Governor’s Office for Local Development, toured the center on May 6 with students and teachers from Jackson Independent Schools. Area officials were also present, including former Governor Paul Patton and his wife, Judi.

Beshear also announced his recommendation for the approval of a $400,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant that will fund the construction of Energy Transformations, a permanent interactive exhibit that will interest students in careers in science, technology engineering and mathematics. The Floyd County Fiscal Court has already allocated $100,000 in coal severance money for the exhibit.

In constructing the exhibit, the center hopes to decrease its dependence on expensive traveling exhibits and, promote interest in math and science. Once completed, the exhibit will be on display for half the year and then it will be stored on campus or leased to other institutions.

An advisory group consisting of center staff, teachers and volunteer patrons developed the concept for Energy Transformations. The Cincinnati Museum Center designed the initial exhibit concept in collaboration with the advisory group, the Floyd County Fiscal Court, Chesapeake Energy, Interstate Natural Gas and the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Corporation.

The exhibit pieces are workstations that explore aspects of different types of energy. Students who see the exhibit will learn what energy is, where it comes from, how it moves through systems, where energy is found, how it impacts the environment, were new energy sources can be located in the future and how to wisely use energy resources.

The East Kentucky Science Center draws in students from surrounding Kentucky counties and other states, he said. Each year, more than 10,000 people from over 22 Kentucky counties and 16 states visit the center.

The center opened in 1998 as a reaction to low student test scores in math and science, Beshear said.

“With the addition of a permanent Energy Transformations exhibit to the East Kentucky Science Center, we see the alignment of three key issues critical to Kentucky’s future,” he said. “First, improving the math and science skills of our children. Second, promoting the public’s understanding of energy production, supply, conservation and use. And finally, drawing additional tourism to this region.”

Appalachian Regional Commission grant applications are submitted to the Governor’s Office of Local Development for review. The grants can not be awarded without a recommendation from the governor. No project activity can begin until the ARC gives final federal approval.

During the Governor’s visit to the science center last week, the Pikeville Rotary Club donated $5,000 to the center’s student access program. Dr. Seema Sachdeva, president of the Pikeville Rotary Club, said her daughters visit the center and come home “beaming” about what they learned.

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Press Release from the KY Division of Waste Management:

Recycling organization will meet in June

Press Release Date: Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Contact Information: Fred Kirchhoff, 502-564-6716


FRANKFORT Ky. (May 7, 2008) – The Kentucky Recycling Interest Group (KRIG) will meet June 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Eastern Kentucky University campus in Richmond. The meeting is open to members and others interested in recycling in Kentucky.

The statewide networking organization membership includes key players in the recycling industry – collectors, processors, brokers and manufacturers who are end-users of recycled materials. An organization meeting was held earlier this year under sponsorship of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s Division of Waste Management and the Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center (KPPC).

Attendees will have a chance to review draft mission and vision statements written by a steering committee from information developed at the initial meeting:

Mission Statement – “The Kentucky Recycling Interest Group promotes ‘zero waste’ through resource conservation, increased recycling, and waste reduction.”

Vision Statement – “The Kentucky Recycling Interest Group (KRIG) will identify and recommend practices to develop sustainable and economically viable recycling and waste reduction policy. The primary goal of this initiative is ‘net zero’ waste output for the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This will be achieved through the examination, demonstration, and implementation of conservation, resource recovery, and waste reduction practices. KRIG will promote economically viable, safe, energy-conserving, sustainable recycling and waste management practices through public/private partnerships.”

To register for the June 17 meeting, go to the KPPC Web site -- www.kppc.org -- and look for KRIG under Upcoming Events. The registration page has a map and directions, and an agenda will be posted later.

For more information about KRIG, contact Fred Kirchhoff or Dara Carlisle at the Division of Waste Management, 502-564-6716. Their e-mail addresses are Fred.Kirchhoff@ky.gov and Dara.Carlisle@ky.gov

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From the Breathitt County Voice:

35th year for Conservation Awards banquet big hit for first-timers

By Jeff Noble

Voice Editor

Since its inception back in 1974, hundreds of families have come to the annual Awards Banquet held by the Breathitt County Conservation District (BCCD).

Their children are rewarded for the essays they write, and the pictures they draw, which honor the works in land conservation and preserving wildlife.

Their parents are also honored for their work in farming and environmental quality, along with beautifying their homes and property.

But the best part of all? It’s watching those students who come to the event for the very first time.

And win.

Last Friday’s edition of the awards banquet - the 35th Annual one - was no exception.

For Tabitha Roark, her first time in the contest landed her a First Place prize in the 3rd Grade Art Contest. And she was totally excited about her drawing. “It was about nature and what’s in the forest. There were grizzly bears, eagles, robins, ducks and elk in the picture!” said Tabitha, an eight-year-old student at Marie Roberts-Caney. Along with her mom Wendy, the two were dressed “pretty in pink”, as they discussed the evening ahead. “It’s my first time here, and I’m looking forward to winning. And some good food.”

The theme this year for the contest was about wildlife. “Kentucky’s Backyard - Where Life Is Wild”, to be exact. Tabitha and Wendy were among some 280 persons who came to the Breathitt High School Cafeteria to enjoy the awards, to eat fried chicken and ham, and to see if they had the lucky ticket to win them a door prize later that evening.

But there was one first-time winner who already has bright plans for the future. And he loved to let people know about those plans. Dressed for success with a dark blue shirt and tie, ten-year-old Austin Hudson was a hit with everyone he talked to. “I want to be a famous artist in Breathitt County. I want to make cartoons. And my role model is Whistler, who did a painting.”(artist James Whistler, who painted the classic “Whistler’s Mother” back in the 1870’s). The 4th Grader at LBJ had won 1st Place in his school’s Art Contest, and after introducing everyone in his family who were at his table, got up and showed visitors his winning picture. There, on a post in the cafeteria, was his drawing, which featured a ferret, a black bear in hiding, and a scarecrow with some crows hanging on its arms. “I patterned this scarecrow after the one in “The Wizard Of Oz”, Austin proudly exclaimed. On the picture he also wrote, “We must feed the animals. Whatever food they like”. Walking back to his table with Sherry Mullins of the Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), an pumped-up Austin was ready to start the festivities. “This is awesome. I’m looking forward to getting that award, and watching everyone get lots and lots of awards. And I get a ten-dollar prize, too!”

Over a thousand students in four school districts entered this competition. And when the key awards were given out, the winners were Travis Arrowood, of Jackson City School, who was the County Winner of the Art Contest. His winning entry, “Ky’s Backyard, Where Life is WILD” was featured on the programs given out to the audience, as well as on a big video screen, and on a billboard on Route 15 in Jackson. Rousseau Elementary student Jackie Howard was the County Runner-Up in the Art Contest.

For the Writing Contest, another Jackson City School student - Alexandria Herald - took the top prize, as she read her essay about wildlife conservation and keeping our environment free of garbage and litter. Breathitt High School student Brayton Fugate was the County Runner-Up in the Writing Contest.

In addition, scholarships were awarded to two students - Faith Stewart of Breathitt High, and Randi Barnett of Jackson City. Then, awards and prizes were given out to scores of students from the schools that participated, beginning with Highland-Turner, continuing with Jackson City, LBJ, Marie Roberts-Caney, Mount Carmel, Riverside Christian, Rousseau, SMS, and ending with Breathitt High.

Carrie Banks liked being one of the winners from her school. “I wrote about deer and wildlife, and what we can do to help them have a happy balance with nature,” said the Sophomore at Riverside, who was the Overall School Winner in the Writing Contest. While waiting in line to get a bite to eat, Carrie continued. “Like several students here, this is also my first time at this awards banquet, and I think it’s pretty cool.”

“We’ve got around ten participating this year, which is a little bit down from last year,” noted Lawrence Monroe, a science teacher at Riverside. Later in the ceremony, Monroe himself would be honored, as he received one of the Outstanding Assistance Awards for conservation work with his school. Ogelle Parks was given the “Conservation and Beautification Around the Home Contest” Award for her work on her farm that began the same time as the banquet began - 35 years ago.

This year’s “Outstanding Breathitt Countian” Award was given to Roy Spencer. Involved in youth, agricultural development, water conservation and recreation for 55 years of his life, Spencer told the Voice afterwards, “There’s more who deserve this award, but I’ll just say, ‘How sweet it is.” I feel pretty good getting it.”

But even the drawings of birds, critters and grizzly bears growling had to take a backseat to the stomachs growling of those getting their awards for the first time. Before they got in line to eat, nine-year-old Krista Back quickly described her drawing. “I drew a squirrel on the tree. I had blue skies, and lots of land,” said the Second Grader at LBJ who won 2nd Place in her school’s Art Contest. Sitting with her sister Haley and her Grandma, Nadine Back, Krista painted a colorful picture of her artwork on paper, of the picture of it in her mind, and of the awards banquet itself.

“I like the whole thing.”

from the Harlan Daily Enterprise:

Local students honored at soil conservation banquet

By JOEY WILLIAMS
Staff Writer

Published:Wednesday, April 30, 2008 2:05 AM CDT

Students throughout Harlan County were recognized Tuesday by the Harlan County Conservation District for their efforts in an essay and poster contest. Nearly 200 Harlan Countians gathered for the Soil Stewardship and Awards Banquet at the Harlan Baptist Church.

This year’s contest featured 620 participants. In all, 28 winners were honored during the banquet.

David Howard, chairman of the Harlan County Conservation District, said the event is a positive experience for local students.

“This event gives students an opportunity to be recognized for a job well done. That is something that is a great initiative for children because they’re getting credit for working hard and doing an important thing,” said Howard. “This also gives us as board members a great opportunity to show off soil stewardship week. I think this really gives us a great spotlight to showcase what we are all about.”

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The theme of this year’s contest was “Kentucky Wildlife,” an appropriate title considering how much wildlife in southeastern Kentucky has been discussed over the past few years, as well as the arrival of the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid — a bug that surfaced in southeastern Kentucky several years ago and has recently infested over 200 hemlock trees in Camp Blanton alone.

During the banquet, the HCCD provided a $3,000 grant designed to treat the infected trees of Camp Blanton with an insecticide. Howard says the money should go a long way to help combat the threat to hemlock trees.

“This money will be used solely to deal with this growing problem. This is a bug that has caused a lot of problems to a very important tree. Hopefully, this money will go a long way in solving the problems these bugs have caused,” Howard said.

Also presented during the banquet was the J. Clark Metcalfe Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is for $1,000 and is named in the honor of Jerry Metcalfe, who served on the HCDD board of supervisors for many years until his passing in 2002. This year the scholarship was presented to Derek White.

White is a senior at Evarts High School and maintains a 3.975 grade point average. He plans to begin his college studies at Southeast Community College where he will pursue a degree in science and biology.

James Lacy was the guest speaker during the banquet. Lacy, who is the chairman of the stewardship committee and is the executive board member for the Southeast Region of the National Association of Conservation Districts, emphasized the importance of young people.

“The future depends on children getting active. Years from now it’s gonna be the children who are gonna run the conservation district. So getting the youth involved and educated is the key to our future,” said Lacy. “Education is without a doubt what needs to be stressed.”

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A Dozen Good Ideas

Healing Appalachia is the first book to apply “appropriate technology,” or the most basic technology that can effectively achieve the desired result, specifically to the Appalachian region. The authors examine thirty low-cost, people-friendly, and environmentally benign appropriate technologies that are concerned with such issues as food preservation, land use, shelter, and transportation. Some examples include:

• Microhydropower
Producing 5 to 100 kilowatts of power, microhydropower generator systems are easily placed on low-flow streams. Hydro power is by far the cheapest form of electricity generation, a technology that suits the limited incomes in Appalachian communities.

• Edible Landscaping
Because of chemical fertilizers and manicuring time, grass lawns are not economical. Growing vegetables, fruits, grapes, nuts, and herbs produces a form of economic payment resulting from hard work. Low maintenance beekeeping helps edible landscapers pollinate plants and enjoy honey year-round.

• Wood Heating
Burning wood, a renewable resource, emits far fewer ozone-depleting chemicals than more popular fossil fuel competitors. New government regulations and wood heater designs have increased the effectiveness and manageability of wood heaters. Wood heaters should be used as supplements to existing heating elements to avoid depleting living forests.

• Nontimber Forest Products
Native foods, fuels, medicinals, seeds, and other nontimber tree products abound in Appalachian forests. As many Appalachia residents own tracts of forest-covered land, harvesting economic products while keeping the land scenic and available for tourists carries double the profit of cutting trees for timber.

• Solar Photovoltaics
Solar panels and shingles combined with today’s energy efficient lighting greatly reduce reliance upon fossil fuels for generated electricity. Net metering feeds surplus energy back into the community’s electric utility grid to be used by others.

• Retreat Cabin Sites
A far cry from formal five-star resorts, the mountains of Appalachia provide an idyllic retreat from hectic schedules. The mountains and valleys are full of coves, lakes, streams, waterfalls, and other tranquil, yet accessible, spaces for tourist relaxation.

• Cordwood Structures
Building with cordwood: cutting debarked logs to desired stacking length and cementing them into place with a windproof, thermal insulator. Cordwood buildings retain desirable summer and winter indoor temperatures, do not harbor mold, and are surprisingly fireproof.

• Yurts in Appalachia
Yurts, circular dwellings common in Mongolia, are cost-efficient, durable and require little maintenance. The Woodlands Mountain Institute has built a system of yurts used for community centers and student housing.

• Regional Heritage Plants
Losing regional plants, particularly food plants, to new technology and hybrids is detrimental to the natural balance of the earth. Reducing our reliance on a monoculture based on mass produced seeds and genetically altered plants will help ensure biodiversity in the region.

• Composting Toilets
Installing sewer lines in rural and mountainous areas can be expensive and inefficient. Relying upon the technology of hunter-gatherers, human waste in a composting toilet becomes devoid of water and bacteria. It then can be used as a natural fertilizer.

• Cisterns and Water Catchments
Cistern water is naturally soft and generally used for pets and for washing hair and clothing. Drier climates benefit from the storage of clean filtered water. Water collected in cisterns is often cleaner, better-tasting, and cheaper than municipal water.

• Food Preservation
Old-fashioned food preservation techniques—root cellars, canning, preserving, and drying—are more economical than buying produce year-round. Today’s technology allows for deep freezing and solar drying, speedier takes on ancient preservation practices.


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Thirty Environmentally-Friendly Ways to Save the Mountains

Lexington, KY—

America’s interest in and concern about environmental protection has never been higher, as illustrated by director David Guggenheim’s recent Oscar win for An Inconvenient Truth. His documentary of former Vice President Al Gore not only brings to the forefront the statistics about ozone depletion and already-documented changes in worldwide weather patterns, but it also serves as a warning of what could happen to the Earth if no immediate change was made to halt the hazardous effects of global warming.

Coinciding with this warning, the citizens of Appalachia, known for their strong ties to the land, have taken the first steps to end the worldwide crisis between nonrenewable and renewable resources. In Healing Appalachia: Sustainable Living through Appropriate Technology, Al Fritsch and Paul Gallimore offer thirty examples and explanations of environmentally-friendly technology. Each chapter systematically examines the definition and origin of a given technology, its application to Appalachia, and the best methods for implementation.

Healing Appalachia covers a broad range of topics, including electrical energy, energy efficiency and conservation, food, land, forest, shelter, waste water, and transportation. Among the most innovative ideas are the use of solar greenhouses, expanding the prominence of silviculture, and constructing artificial wetlands. Solar greenhouses offer the farmer a way to cut the price of propane used in many traditional greenhouses, and also provide a source of healthy food during the winter months. When attached to another building, a solar greenhouse can provide space heating by reducing the amount of cold-air exchange with the environment. Silviculture, the care and maintenance of forests, is necessary to produce and maintain a healthy forest environment. Not only must one select the proper species of tree to plant by taking into account the ecological environment, but the removal of exotic and invasive species must be managed and maintained in order to ensure the survival of these native trees. Human-constructed wetlands can be built on difficult, rocky terrain at a low cost by using local materials and benefit the environment by naturally processing gray water from activities such as bathing and washing dishes.

With Healing Appalachia, the authors hope “to ease the hesitancy at matters of technological innovation by giving down-to-earth solutions to frequently raised problems,” as well as to instigate the necessary reform within the communities. Not only do they offer their audience extremely detailed explanations of the technology, but the conclusion suggests methods for implementation, both for mass-expansion in Appalachia and throughout the country as a whole.

Al Fritsch is the founder of Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest and co-author of Ecotourism in Appalachia: Marketing the Mountains.

Paul Gallimore is the founder and executive director of the Long Branch Environmental Education Center in Leicester, North Carolina.




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from the Ashland Daily Independent:

Energy event scheduled in Morehead

Published: April 24, 2008 11:23 pm

Morehead — The Kentucky Green Energy Roadshow, offered through a partnership between the Kentucky Solar Energy Partnership, Appalachia-Science in the Public Interest and the Kentucky Solar Energy Society, will offer workshops about renewable energy and energy efficiency from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Morehead State University.

Experts will discuss issues, including environmentally friendly building design and construction, application of energy efficiency and conservation in the home and business and renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind and hydro power. The event will include a discussion about state policies and incentives needed to accelerate the use of sustainable energy and building practices. There will be booths and exhibits demonstrating renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies.

Events will be in Room 111 of Rader Hall. Lunch is included in the $20 registration fee. For more information, visit www.kysolar.org or call (888) 576-6527.

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More information (including how/when to register and directions) at the Kentucky Solar Partnership website: http://www.kysolar.org/roadshow_2008.htm.


Morehead, April 26th
Morehead State University
Rader Hall, Rm. 111

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:

8:30 – 9:00 am
Registration

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9:00 – 9:15 am
Setting Priorities for Efficiency, Conservation, and Renewables in Your Home or Business
Andy McDonald, Ky Solar Partnership

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

9:15 – 10:15 am
Principles of Energy Efficient, Green Home Construction
Robert Fehr, UK Extension Professor, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

10:15 – 10:30 am
Break

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10:30 – 11:15 am
Gone Solar in Morehead – One Man’s Story
Michael Campbell, Morehead Resident

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11:15 – 12:00 pm
Case Study: A Green Office Building in Cincinnati Earns LEED Gold Certification
Steve Melink, Owner, Melink Corporation

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:00 – 12:30 pm
Lunch Pick-Up

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

12:30 – 1:15 pm
Policies & Incentives that Support Renewables and Efficiency:
A Panel Discussion On Federal & State Programs
Speakers To Be Announced

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1:15 – 1:30 pm
Energy Efficiency Improvement Grant and Guaranteed Loan Programs for Small Business
Scott Maas, USDA – Rural Development

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1:30 – 1:45 pm
EKPC at the Crossroads: A Report on Potential Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Programs for East Ky Power Cooperative
Kentuckians for the Commonwealth/Kentucky Environmental Foundation/Sierra Club

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1:45 – 2:45
Introduction to Solar Photovoltaics
Matt Partymiller, Solar Energy Solutions

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2:45 – 3:00
Break

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3:00 – 4:00
Solar Water Heating Systems
Jason Streit, Kentucky Solar Living

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4:00 – 4:15
Renewable Energy Credits & Green Tags
Bob Fairchild, Soft Energy Associates

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4:15 – 5:00
Wind, Hydro, and Biomass Energy Resources in Kentucky
Bob Fairchild, Soft Energy Associates

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Middlesboro Middle Schoolers inform Board of Education members about global warming with a podcast.

From the Middlesboro Daily News:

Board members get lesson on podcasts

By Brandy Calvert/Senior Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, March 20, 2008 11:24 AM CDT

MIDDLESBORO — The Middlesboro Board of Education held their regular March meeting at the newly remodeled Middlesboro Middle School on Monday, March 17. Two of Mrs. Givens’ computer students presented their latest creation to board members- their podcast, “Helping prevent global warming”. By utilizing new technologies in their school, eighth graders Cassie Kirkland and Shayna Thomas showcased their technological talents and even taught board members something new.

Middle School Principal Steve Spangler spoke with board members about a recent review that the school received. Spangler told the board that the school system, school leaders and teachers were highly commended for creating a climate conducive of learning....

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A report on the London stop of the Energy Roadshow in the Corbin Times-Tribune. (Link to article.)

KY Green Energy Roadshow

Published: March 31, 2008 11:55 am


Series of state workshops in rural Kentucky areas aim at encouraging state leaders to think green

A unique green “roadshow” of sorts pulled into London last Saturday. At this roadshow there was talk of anaerobic digesters, green building, and all sorts of new ways to live. Not sure what the heck an anaerobic digester is? The roadshow was meant to help you figure out what exactly one was.

The Kentucky Green Energy Roadshow made it’s first stop on Saturday in London. The roadshow was presented by the Kentucky Solar Partnership.

Kentucky Solar Partnership Coordinator Andy McDonald said the roadshow was meant to teach people more about renewable energy, energy efficiency and green building.

“Kentucky Solar Partnership and some other organizations were thinking of ways of encouraging the state to save energy and become more green,” McDonald said of the event’s genesis. “And we thought if we had a series of workshops in places where these types of workshops don’t normally happen — rural areas, we could help encourage state leaders,”

The event ran from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and featured 10 speakers, and informational booths from sponsors.

One of the booths had bright colored lights underneath a domed piece of glass — something that resembled a model of a UFO.

Jason Streit of Kentucky Solar Living, one of the event’s major sponsors, said that the bright lights were compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs). CFLs use approximately 75 percent less energy that normal light bulbs.

“I brought the colored ones, because I wanted to show that compact fluorescent lights can be used for anything—we have even installed them at bars and things like that,” Streit said.

The dome shaped glass was an example of a window that can be put in the roof of a house or building to provide daylight lighting instead of using electric lights. Streit said that this part of the display was to show people that there are a lot of options for daytime lighting.

Among the speakers at the event, was Talina Mathews, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy (GOEP). The mission of the GOEP is to maintain Kentucky’s low-cost energy, while responsibly developing energy resources, all the while preserving Kentucky’s commitment to environmental quality.

Mathews said that the energy problem in Kentucky, and the world as a whole won’t be solved simply.

“People say we need a silver bullet. I’m almost tired of this cliche, but we need a silver shotgun—there is no, one solution for the country’s energy problems,” Mathews said.

Mathews brought up examples of schools that participated in energy saving programs.

“These schools saved $30-50,000 just in energy costs. That could be enough to a hire another teacher,” Mathews said.

Mathews added that it would be necessary for Kentuckians, and the public as a whole to become more efficient.

“We need to produce everything more efficiently. We have to get people to think differently. We need people to know that no matter what happens, there are going to be carbon limits [enforced by the government] in the next 5 years. And if there are not, I’ll come back here and say I was wrong,” Mathews said.

The roadshow will be making it’s way to Owensboro, Northern Kentucky University and then to Morehead on April 26. McDonald said he hopes if people missed this first stop that they would consider coming to one of the upcoming stops. More information can be found at Kysolar.org

And if you are still wondering what anaerobic digester is, Scott Maas of USDA Rural Development explained that it is an up and coming green source of energy. Anaerobic digesters use microorganisms to break down organic biomass. Biomass in this case, according to Maas, is organic waste, in other words, animal droppings, wastewater and the like. As this waste biodegrades it creates gas that can be used to create power.

Maas says that the Maker’s Mark distillery is currently using a methane digester that breaks down whiskey waste. Maas said the distillery has cut it’s natural gas use in half.

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Upcoming workshops in eastern Kentucky:

April 26 in Morehead. Location TBA.

From the Kentucky Solar Partnership website:

The Kentucky Green Energy Roadshow offers a full day of workshops presented by skilled professionals on topics such as green building design and construction, applying energy efficiency and conservation in your home or business, super-efficient homes, and renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass. Each event will include a panel discussion on state policies and incentives needed to accelerate the use of these sustainable energy and building practices.

Visit www.kysolar.org for more information.


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