SENATOR TURNER URGES KENTUCKY ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT CABINET TO ADDRESS WATER PERMITTING DELAYS
FRANKFORT, KY (August 20, 2024)—To protect the livelihoods of coal miners and sustain the economic foundation of eastern Kentucky, state Sen. Johnnie L. Turner, R-Harlan, has called on the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet to address significant delays in processing critical water permits for coal mining operations. Turner’s appeal comes at a crucial time as the coal industry grapples with the dual challenges of meeting energy demands and navigating increasingly burdensome regulatory hurdles.
Coal remains a vital pillar of eastern Kentucky’s economy, providing well-paying jobs, supporting families, and contributing to local tax revenues essential for maintaining public services and schools across the region. However, Turner raised serious concerns regarding the Cabinet’s apparent failure to promptly process individual and general water permit applications. This failure poses a grave threat to the industry’s future and the well-being of eastern Kentucky families.
“I’ve received reports that the Cabinet has failed to act on simple water permit applications for months without any explanation,” Turner stated in a detailed letter to Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Tony Hatton and Department for Natural Resources Commissioner Gordon Slone. “This is not just a bureaucratic delay; it’s a direct threat to the continued operations of our coal companies and the livelihoods of thousands of Kentuckians.”
Turner championed Senate Bill 226 in the 2023 legislative session. The bill streamlined the environmental permitting process for coal mining and other industrial operations to create jobs and bolster Kentucky’s economy. The bill set specific deadlines for the Energy and Environment Cabinet to process applications for water quality certifications and water discharge permits. It also prohibited the Cabinet from delaying consideration of a permit application until the applicant secured a federal permit. The measure was vetoed by Gov. Andy Beshear, but Turner and lawmakers overrode the veto.
In his letter, Turner stressed the urgent need for action from the Cabinet. He requested a detailed explanation for the existing delays in light of the provisions of SB 226, an assessment of the Cabinet’s ability to manage the anticipated surge in permit applications, and a commitment to ensuring efficient permit processing.
“With the General Permit for Coal Mining, Processing, and Associated Activities set to expire on Sept. 30, the Division of Water will soon be inundated with renewal applications. We need assurances these will be handled swiftly, or our coal miners and their families will suffer the consequences,” Turner emphasized.
Turner further indicated this issue could become a matter for legislative inquiry in the upcoming session if the Cabinet fails to provide satisfactory responses. He underscored the importance of timely permit processing, describing it as the “lifeblood” of coal mining operations and highlighting the necessity of the Cabinet’s cooperation to ensure the region’s economic stability.
“Water permits are essential for the survival of our coal industry,” Turner asserted. “The Cabinet’s delays are unacceptable, and I will not stand by while the livelihoods of my constituents are put at risk. I am prepared to take further legislative action if necessary.”
Turner’s firm stance sends a clear message to the Cabinet and his constituents: He is unwavering in his commitment to defending the coal industry and the families it supports. As energy demands continue to rise, particularly with the expansion of data centers and artificial intelligence, the role of coal in powering Kentucky and beyond remains paramount.
Turner’s advocacy concerns safeguarding jobs and ensuring eastern Kentucky’s coal communities are not overlooked amid growing regulatory challenges. His actions will be closely monitored as the Cabinet formulates its response.
Residents of eastern Kentucky and other coal-producing counties are encouraged to stay informed and engaged as this issue progresses.
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Sen. Turner, R-Harlan, represents the 29th Senate District, encompassing Bell, Floyd, Harlan, Knott, and Letcher Counties. Senator Turner is a member of the Interim Joint Committees on Judiciary, Natural Resources and Energy, Transportation, and Banking and Insurance. He also serves as a member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation.
