EcoEKY: Green News from Eastern Kentucky

from WYMT News:

24 Hour Recycling Center

Reporter: Matt Barbour
Email Address: matt.barbour@wymtnews.com

The city of London and Laurel County now has a new 24 hour recycling center.

The public works director says it will save the city thousands of dollars.

People using the new recycling center in Laurel County say it's easy and convenient.

“It's just one of them things if I don't I have to pay for the garbage truck when I can bring it here on the trip to town,” Bennie Smith said.

The city of London opened the new regional recycling center Monday and the city's public works director says it's a big improvement from the county's old center.

“It can only help them, with the roadside litter and with the way they had to process it, it was labor intensive,” Steve Edge said.

Edge says in the first year alone he expects the facility to process about 3,600 tons of material that would normally be going to a landfill and that will save the city about $75,000.

Robby Blair is the center's supervisor and says everyone should make an effort to recycle.

“What happens, ten years from now? You know, there's not going to be many landfills left,” Blair said.

He says they've designed this center to be more user friendly.

The old one had dispensers that were much higher off the ground.

Just ask Zelma Rice, “Well, if you've got a bag of papers, they're heavy. They get heavy. and it's harder for older people especially, or short people to reach up and put those in there.”

She says hopefully the convenience will encourage others to make a difference in their community.

Blair says curbside recycling service could be provided within the next two years.

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.

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.

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.

from the Richmond Register:

Saving the river

Students working to help preserve Kentucky River

Ronica Shannon
Register News Writer
Published: May 12, 2008 08:25 am

The final exam for several Eastern Kentucky University students is more about just getting a good grade.

For a group of eight students under the leadership of professor Alan Banks, director of the EKU Center for Appalachian Studies, their final exam could result in saving the Kentucky River.

Students Ivy Brashear, Christopher Mullikin, Kelley Davidson, Ashley Evans, Ashley Hallis, Warren Oliver, Jeremy Roberts and Gary Underwood have worked to compile survey questions that are being distributed to elected officials representing the 41 counties located along the Kentucky River watershed.

The students met Wednesday at The Waterfront restaurant to discuss their initiative with local elected officials.

The Center for Appalachian Studies partnered with the Kentucky Riverkeepers to do a survey to get an idea of what is important to local elected representatives.

The surveys are a part of the project’s first phase which eventually will include a filmed documentary about the importance of saving the Kentucky River. It will be a two-year process, said Kentucky Riverkeepers and Berea artist Pat Banks.

“It’s going to be a great process,” said Kentucky Riverkeepers Pat Banks. “We hope to use these surveys to write grants, to bring resources to our region to make things happen.”

The 45-question survey asks officials what they consider important and relevant to their respective communities. Categories include community assets, problem areas in their communities and what they think about several issues related to the use, marketing and preservation of the Kentucky River.

The experience of compiling questions for the survey was a learning experience in itself for Brashear.

“It was a team effort,” she said. “I learned a lot about activism and how you get things done in an organized fashion. We also learned how to get results and how to reach the goal that you’re working toward in a civil manner.”

Richmond Mayor Connie Lawson expressed her love and appreciation for the Kentucky River at Wednesday’s meeting, but also said she was aware of its deterioration.

“The river, as we have known it, is gone,” Lawson said. “It breaks my heart.”

Rules and regulations have been put in place that many ignore, according to Pat Banks.

“There are laws in place for clean water, but we can’t swim in our river or eat our fish,” she said.

The Kentucky River was a large part of Mullikin’s childhood, but he has seen the decline in the community’s interest in the river, he said.

“The (Kentucky) river needs more publicity,” he said. “When was the last time you saw a commercial for the Kentucky River? I think we need to change people’s opinion about the river.”

The main goal of the EKU/Kentucky Riverkeepers relationship is to identify ways to find resources that can help increase community awareness about the needs of the Kentucky River and create a vision for the river’s future, Banks said.

The Kentucky Riverkeepers is a non-profit organization and is sponsored by the EKU Center for Appalachian Studies.

Send an e-mail to kyriverkeeper@eku.edu or call 622-1622 for more information about the project or the Kentucky Riverkeepers organization.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.

from the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development (MACED) website:

MACED Launches Energy Efficient Enterprises Project

May 8, 2008

Berea, Ky — The Mountain Association for Community Economic Development announced recently the launch of Energy Efficient Enterprises (E3) to enhance the financial strength of businesses and organizations and to benefit the natural environment. The program helps enterprises realize cost savings through the use of energy efficient equipment and systems or through renewable energy sources.

With rising energy prices, many companies are paying more for natural gas, propane and electricity. These vital inputs are cutting into profit margins and weakening the ability of businesses to invest in their futures.

In addition, growing awareness of the effects of carbon dioxide on climate change has spurred many people to seek ways to reduce emissions through greater energy efficiency and the adoption of other energy sources such as wind, solar and low impact hydro-electric power.

In response, MACED developed the E3 program. It begins with an on-site energy assessment, followed by recommendations for change and assistance with identifying and choosing an independent installation company. MACED provides financing for identified improvements at low rates and flexible terms for each enterprise.

According to Joshua Bills, MACED’s energy specialist, “Businesses and organizations that seek to be successful financially and which are careful to protect the natural world around them are the cornerstone of a vibrant Appalachia. By investing in energy efficiency, enterprises can be more profitable, improve working conditions and reduce negative effects on the environment. With the money saved from energy efficiency measures, enterprises may then choose to invest in renewable energy sources, further reducing their environmental impact.”

MACED is a 31-year-old nonprofit organization that works in eastern Kentucky and Central Appalachia to create economic opportunity, strengthen democracy and support the sustainable use of natural resources. To find out more about MACED’s E3 project, visit www.maced.org or contact MACED’s energy specialist, Joshua Bills, at 859-986-2373 or jbills@maced.org.