Enviros challenge air permits for Ky. coal plants

THE COURIER-JOURNAL - MAY 10, 2010

The Sierra Club and Valley Watch have challenged the Kentucky Division for Air Quality on its issuance of air permits for three planned coal plants: Kentucky New Gas in Muhlenberg County, Cash Creek in Henderson County, and Smith in Clark County.

“These permit approvals were pushed through just days before new federal air pollution limits took effect,” said Wallace McMullen, energy chair for the Cumberland Chapter of the Sierra Club, in a written statement. “It makes no sense to move forward and construct a fleet of new plants that we know won't be able to meet the new standards.”

Karen Wilson, spokeswoman for the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, said the agency is confident they will stand up to any legal proceedings.

The appeals were filed with the Kentucky Office of Administrative Hearings, the environmentalist groups said.