FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 15, 2018) – The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet presented 13 environmental awards October 12 at its annual Governor’s Conference on Energy and the Environment at the Lexington Convention Center.
The awards reflect a commitment by those honored to preserving and enhancing the Commonwealth through energy efficiency, soil conservation, mine land reclamation, farmland stewardship or innovation.
Tom Fitzgerald, who has spent nearly four decades advocating for those, “downhill, downwind and downstream,” as was inscribed upon his award, was the recipient of the 2018 Secretary’s Award at the Governor’s Conference on Energy and the Environment.
Lt. Governor Jenean Hampton and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Charles Snavely presented “Fitz,” as he is widely known, with the award at the conclusion of the Awards Luncheon on Friday afternoon.
Continue reading “Environmental Advocate Fitzgerald Honored, 2018 Governor’s Conference Concludes”
Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Kicked off the 2018 Governor’s Conference on Energy and the Environment with remarks about the future of Kentucky’s energy profile, environmental regulations and continuing to keep Kentucky’s environment and citizens protected.
Governor Matt Bevin was the keynote speaker on the first day of the conference. The governor touted his energy policies, covered cyber security, the changing energy landscape and updating the power grid. He also took questions from the audience which included a discussion on subsidizing alternative energy forms.
Continue reading “2018 Governor’s Conference on Energy and Environment Wraps Day One”
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 25, 2018) – The Kentucky Division of Forestry is preparing for fall wildfire season. Wildfires in Kentucky threaten damage to homes, private property, trees and landscapes. More importantly, they place lives at risk, including those of firefighters. The vast majority of Kentucky’s wildfires are preventable, the result of arson and careless open-burning (burning of trash, debris and brush).
Despite a wet beginning to fall, with more than nine inches of rain falling in Lexington in the month of September, and nearly seven inches falling in Jackson County in September, weather conditions can change quickly and become favorable to wildfire activity.
Continue reading “Fall Forest Fire Hazard Season Begins Monday”
As Hurricane Florence makes landfall today with an unpredictable path, the Energy and Environment Cabinet would like to remind residents of how to handle storm and flood debris, should the storm bring bad weather to the commonwealth.
The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection (DEP) has specific guidelines for
proper disposal of debris left in the aftermath of severe weather. DEP wants storm-affected Kentuckians to be aware of health, safety, and compliance hazards associated with debris handling and disposal.
These hazards include, but are not limited to, burning of debris, asbestos removal, and mold growth.
Forty-two Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDOF) firefighters dragged their gear off the white school bus that had brought them home, back to the Southern Interagency Fire Cache in London, Ky.
They looked spent, many still wearing the Ferguson fire t-shirts earned by their recent weeks fighting one of the largest wildfires in California history.
The Ferguson fire, a wildfire in the Sierra National Forest and Yosemite National park in California, had pushed the team to their limits. It began Juy 13 and within a day had burned nearly 1,000 acres.A deadly and stubborn fire, it has burned for a month, consuming nearly 100,000 acres and killing two firefighters.
Continue reading “Firefighters Return Home after Two Weeks on Deadly Ferguson Fire”
With parts of the western United States ablaze, the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s Kentucky Division of Forestry has dispatched aid in the form of firefighters and equipment to five western states.
Kentucky firefighters are fighting fires in Yosemite Park in California. Devestating fires are burning there and in other areas across Colorado, Nevada and Utah. The Goose Creek fire that spans northern Nevada and Utah has scorched 123,000 acres so far, while a fire in Carr, California has burned 132,000 acres.
“They’re right in the areas where fire has been and they’re in a very close proximity to the active fire,” Kentucky Fire Management Chief Brandon Howard told WAVE 3 News in Louisville yesterday.
To see an interactive map of where the fires are in the western states, you can go to the International Association of Fire Chiefs Wildfire Status Dashboard here to see where the fires are, how big they are and what percentage they are currently contained.
Continue reading “Kentucky Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Western U.S.”
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet is calling for nominations for its annual environmental awards to be presented during the 2018 Governor’s Conference on Energy and the Environment on Oct. 11-12 at the Lexington Convention Center.
The awards will include the Secretary’s Award, the Kentucky Excellence in Energy Leadership Award, the Environmental Pacesetter Award, the Resource Caretaker Award, the Community Environmental Luminary Award, and the KY EXCEL Champion Award. Those selected to be honored will received their awards during the conference luncheon on Thursday, Oct. 12.
The deadline for all nominations is Aug. 1, 2018. The awards are as follows:
Continue reading “Reminder – Energy and Environment Cabinet Seeking Nominations for Awards”
FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 7, 2018) – The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet is calling for nominations for its annual environmental awards to be presented during the 2018 Governor’s Conference on Energy and the Environment on Oct. 11-12 at the Lexington Convention Center.
Continue reading “Energy and Environment Cabinet Seeking Nominations for Awards”
Clear sunny skies created the perfect day for the Energy and Environment Cabinet’s 2018 Earth Day celebration on April 27, at the 300 Sower Building in Frankfort, Ky. More than half a dozen divisions representing both the Department for Environmental Protection and the Department for Natural Resources had exhibits that were open to both the public and employees.
Other exhibitors included The Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, Woods and Waters Land Trust, Franklin County Solid Waste, Kentucky State University, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Glean KY, Life Adventure Center, KET and Together Frankfort.
Continue reading “Energy and Environment Cabinet Celebrates Earth Day”
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