Coal

Judge Sides with Patriot Coal, Miners Plan Protests

John Null and The Associated Press — Thu, 30 May 2013 22:18:57 +0000

The United Mine Workers of America plan to appeal a court ruling that will significantly cut health care and pension benefits to thousands of workers and retirees, including many in Kentucky.

On Wednesday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kathy Surratt-States approved Peabody Energy Corp. spin-off Patriot Coal’s request to impose wage and benefit cuts by throwing out its collective bargaining agreements with the UMW. Union spokesman Phil Smith says the battle is far from over, however.

LG&E, Charah Partner to Create New Agriculture Pellet from Coal Byproduct

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 19:41:56 +0000

A partnership between LG&E and KU and a Kentucky company could help both the energy and agriculture sectors, Kentucky leaders announced Monday.

Kentucky company Charah is opening up a facility in Louisville that will takeleftover gypsum from the Mill Creek Power Station and turn it into a sulfur product—such as fertilizers—for Kentucky farmers.

Study: Illness More Likely in Eastern Kentucky Coal County Than Non-Coal Counties

Erica Peterson — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:50:21 +0000

A new health study in Eastern Kentucky has found that residents in a county where surface mining is prevalent have a higher instance of illness than residents in two control counties.

UMWA Protests Potential Loss of Health Benefits

Jeff Williams — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:34:30 +0000

Members of the United Mine Workers of America and other unions rallied in St. Louis today. Hundreds of United Mine Workers and supports marched through the streets of St. Louis today as part of a rally in front of the corporate headquarters of Peabody Energy. Miners are protesting the potential loss of health benefits.

Western KY Coal Company Awarded For Reclamaton Efforts

John Walker and The Associated Press — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:42:58 +0000

Kentucky officials are honoring some coal companies for efforts to restore the land on former surface mine sites.

Kentucky Utilities to Pay Millions For Alleged Clean Air Act Violations

Erica Peterson (KPR) — Wed, 02 Jan 2013 21:24:57 +0000

Kentucky Utilities will spend $57 million to install updated pollution control equipment and pay civil penalties under the terms of a proposed consent decree.

The money will go to installing a sulfuric acid mist emission control system at the company’s Ghent power plant, replace a coal-fired boiler and pay $300,000 in fines to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Hopkins Co. Coal Severance Going Down

Angela Hatton and The Associated Press — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 18:48:05 +0000

Hopkins County officials are bracing for a drop in coal severance tax funds following a slowdown in coal production over the next 18 months.

State officials are reporting a 26 percent drop in coal severance for the 2012-13 fiscal year, which began July 1. That could leave Hopkins County with $1 million less than the $4.05 million officials projected from 2012-2014.

Williams Nominated for State Judgeship

Kenny Colston (KPR) — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:51:11 +0000

Kentucky Senate President David Williams is one step closer to leaving the state legislature. Williams is one of three people nominated by a judicial commission to fill the 40th Circuit opening. Angela Capps and Stephen Hurt are the other two people nominated.

TVA Becoming Less Coal Dependent

The Associated Press and Angela Hatton — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:27:52 +0000

The Tennessee Valley Authority's reliance on coal has dropped and the use of natural gas as fuel to generate electricity has increased. The Commercial Appeal reports TVA's use of gas climbed 70 percent in the fiscal year ended September 30. At the same time, coal-fired generation declined 30 percent from fiscal year 2011.

Afternoon Round-Up 8/16/12

Rose Krzton-Presson — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 21:12:18 +0000

Today on NPR: The government began accepting applications Wednesday for "deferred action for childhood arrivals." The program allows qualified undocumented young people brought to the U.S. as children to study and work legally in the U.S. Many are applying, but the process is not without risk for some.