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March 2008 House Bill 2 would: February 2008 Rep. Rocky Adkins Urges Gov. Beshear To Contact Dept. of Energy About FutureGen Following is Majority Leader Rocky Adkins' statement made on the House of Representatives' Floor today in response to news from the United States' Department of Energy that the Bush administration might drop its support for FutureGen, a $1.5 billion coal-fired power plant located in southern Illinois designed to store co2 emissions underground: "While I hope that the original plan to build in our neighboring state Illinois will be restored, I want to say that if this does not occur - I believe we should be prepared to bring that investment to Kentucky. It appears that DOE is changing course and is planning to use the $1.5 billion in spin-off projects that would come to many different states. House Bill 1 put $5 million we put into the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research for research and development that will help find solutions to capturing co2 emissions. House Bill 1 put $5 million into the Kentucky Geological Survey and they are funding pilot projects going on right here in Eastern and Western Kentucky on gasification technologies. This is exactly what FutureGen is all about. The governor has assured me that he has already met with his Economic Development Cabinet staff and his Office of Energy Policy staff to best formulate Kentucky's response. They have already made contact with the US Department of Energy about this new development to see how Kentucky can respond to the requests for proposals that are now being sought. The governor told me that he is putting together a good consortium of experts to make a strong proposal for these projects, should the opportunity arise. I have had direct discussions with the governor about us not losing time on this - and he agrees that if FutureGen does not get back on track in Illinois - we must be aggressive in going after that investment. You all remember the hard work we put into passing House Bill 1. We began with House Bill 5 in 2006, then built upon our success with the passage of House Bill 1 in our special session in 2007. Your support for House Bill 1 is already reaping many rewards for Kentucky, and will put us at the head of the table as investment opportunities become available." August, 2007 Majority Leader Rocky Adkins' Energy Bill Passes In Special Session  "House Bill 1, passed by the General Assembly in a special session and signed into law by Governor Fletcher in August, is a landmark environmental, energy, and economic development package for Kentucky. "I am proud to be the primary sponsor of a bill that will take advantage of new energy research and emerging technologies, as well protect the air Kentuckians breathe, while helping to maintain affordable energy bills. "We have worked for nearly three years, beginning with House Bill 299, to put together a strategy for Kentucky to address alternative and renewable energy options. With the passage of House Bill 1, we have taken a giant step toward accomplishing that goal." "House Bill 1 provides financial incentives for companies that would add value to Kentucky's substantial coal reserves in Eastern and Western Kentucky by using coal to produce liquid fuels and marketable synthetic gas. "House Bill 1 forgives student loans of young people like those enrolled at Morehead State University who obtain advanced science, chemistry and engineering degrees necessary to fill high tech jobs required by these energy companies. "House Bill 1 also sets aside a total of $7 million to the Kentucky Geological Survey and the Center for Applied Energy Research to perfect carbon dioxide capture and management. As a result of this overdue legislation, we will expand opportunities for our coal regions in Eastern and Western Kentucky, which desperately need an infusion of new jobs." May, 2007 April 16, 2007 Rep. Rocky Adkins Moderates American Energy Security Summit Panel  Washington, DC: Majority Leader Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook), moderated an afternoon panel discussion, entitled "Indigenous Solutions to America's Liquid Transportation Fuel Crisis," at the Southern States Energy Board's American Energy Security Summit held in Washington D.C. today. The SSEB is hosting a two-day conference to discuss economic and national security risks resulting from dependence on foreign oil and rising fuel prices. Rep. Adkins is a member of the SSEB's board of directors. In Rep. Adkins' opening remarks to the panel and audience members, he discussed his efforts to position Kentucky as one of the national leaders in seeking energy independence. He talked about House Bill 5, legislation he sponsored in the 2006 legislative session, which directs the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy (KOEP) to develop a strategy for production of transportation fuels from our state's coal, oil shale and biomass resources. "I said then that the energy initiatives already underway in Kentucky, combined with new efforts through House Bill 299, could lead the nation in the development of new energy technologies that will free America from its dependence on foreign oil," said Rep. Adkins. "House Bill 299 passed both chambers without a no vote and was signed into law last year. Currently, I'm working on legislation that would add incentives to attract companies doing this kind of development and production to Kentucky." Rep. Adkins' energy policy addresses alternative energy sources that include coal, oil shale, wind, solar, hydro and biomass. It is considered to be a well-balanced plan that capitalizes on Kentucky's rich resources. The legislation Rep. Adkins is now working on focuses on education initiatives and the importance of creating a workforce able to support the technical and engineering jobs energy independence would create. "We've established the Kentucky Coal Academy that is training the next generation of coal miners throughout our technical and community colleges," said Rep. Adkins. "We've also created the Kentucky Junior Coal Academy at Lawrence County Schools. The focus is on math and science curriculums at the junior high level that will direct students toward engineering career paths in high school. High school students can then decide if they want to become miners, or pursue a two or four year engineering program in college." Rep. Adkins said that the push to pursue a national drive for energy independence has to begin at the state level. "It's our responsibility as state legislators to encourage the administration and Congress to move this agenda forward so we can ultimately control our own destiny. We can't wait another day." The panel members Rep. Adkins introduced at today's summit include: February 17 , 2007 Majority Leader Rocky Adkins' Energy Independence House Bill 5 Passes House  Frankfort, KY: A bill promoting energy independence, introduced by Majority Leader Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook), cleared the House by a 98-0 vote today. House Bill 5 would improve energy efficiency in state government buildings and throughout the state motor fleet system, provide tax incentives to companies building large commercial scale alternative fuel or renewable energy facilities and offer tax credits to existing commercial energy consumers who can reduce their energy consumption while keeping the current production output. In the 2006 legislative session, citing growing dependence on foreign oil, skyrocketing home heating bills and soaring prices at the pump, Rep. Adkins sponsored House Bill 299, a plan to use Kentucky's technologies and natural resources to produce clean, alternative liquid fuels in our Commonwealth. "The initiatives in HB 5 represent the next step in achieving energy independence as set out in HB 299," said Rep. Adkins. HB 5 directs state government to establish several energy efficient measures immediately, and begin the process to implement other more long term initiatives," said Rep. Adkins. House Bill 299 directed the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy (KOEP) to develop a strategy for production of transportation fuels from coal, oil shale and biomass resources. The bill also directed the KOEP to help research, develop and construct alternative fuels plants in Kentucky and offer incentives and tax credits for those projects. Under the proposed legislation the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet would be encouraged to: Use the United States Environmental Protection Agency's national energy performance system (ENERGY STAR) to develop energy efficient standards for new proposed state facilities, measure the efficiency of existing state facilities, and incorporates ENERGY STAR products in state agency procurements where possible. The Finance and Administration Cabinet would be directed to:
"As I have continued to study this issue, it has become more apparent that in order to make any meaningful progress in our quest toward energy independence as a country, that state government must lead. That is the vision of HB 299 which we passed last year and this is what HB 5 will begin implementing, said Rep. Adkins. "I believe energy independence is an achievable goal and Kentucky can be the national leader in this arena." January 3, 2007 Rep. Rocky Adkins Re-Elected To Third Term As House Majority Floor Leader  Frankfort, KY: Rep. Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook), was re-elected to his third term as House Majority Floor Leader in the House Democrat leadership races held yesterday. Rep. Adkins was unopposed.In 1986, Rep. Adkins was elected to the 99th House District at the age of 26, making him one of the youngest members ever elected to serve in the General Assembly. Rep. Adkins quickly accumulated legislative responsibilities and has served on a number of influential committees, including the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee and as Chairman of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Transportation. "It is an honor to be re-elected by my peers to this important leadership position," said Rep. Adkins. "As the Majority Floor Leader, I have tried to be accessible to all House members so we can work together on issues - education, infrastructure improvements, economic development - that make life better for all Kentuckians." A native of Sandy Hook, Ky., Rep. Adkins is a graduate of Elliott County High School and Morehead State University, where he also received his master’s degree in secondary education. "Being a member of the House leadership team, I am also able to focus attention on projects important to Elliott, Lawrence, Rowan and Boyd Counties," said Rep. Adkins. "We've brought water and sewer lines to the region, improved schools, built and extended roads and I will continue to make those kinds of improvements a priority." As a member of House Leadership, Rep. Adkins serves as a member of the Rules Committee, the Committee on Committees, and the Legislative Research Commission. Additionally, he has been selected to serve on the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB), a non-profit interstate organization dedicated to enhancing economic development throughout the region. He was recently elected as the Southern Legislative Conference's Vice Chair of the Energy and Environment Committee. Rep. Adkins is married to Leah McCormick Adkins. He has three children: Kristen, a graduate of Morehead State University; Brandon, a student at Elliott County High School; and Victoria Elise, who is two years old. November 22, 2006 More than 300 business and community leaders, coal mining industry executives, and educators attended this first meeting to hear about economic development and employment opportunities from coal in Eastern Kentucky. "The Kentucky Coal Academy was created to meet the demand for new miners and train that new generation of miners for the coal industry, said Rep. Adkins. "The Kentucky Junior Coal Academy goes a step further by extending coal education at the high school level." The Lawrence County School System will prepare students for three career paths: A job in the coal mining industry for students just graduating from high school "The Kentucky Junior Coal Academy is training the workforce of tomorrow and securing jobs for our kids in the highly skilled professions of mining and engineering," said Rep. Adkins. "We're focusing on math and science curriculums in the junior high schools to direct them toward engineering career paths. We're going to lower the drop out rates when kids learn that they can get into a career that pays well and provides a good living for their families. And they don't have to leave home to achieve these dreams." Rep. Adkins thanked Cassandra Webb, director for career and technical education for Lawrence County Schools, who wrote the curriculum for the program. He also thanked Lawrence County Schools Superintendent, Jeff May and Assistant Superintendent Joe Hewlett; Lawrence County High School Principal James Boggs; and Kentucky Coal Academy Director, Dr. Bill Higginbotham for their assistance. Kenneth Nehmeth, Executive Director of the Southern States Energy Board was the guest speaker. Kentucky Junior Coal Academy student Daniel Howard also spoke about his experience. "The 29 students in the Kentucky Junior Coal Academy here today - like the students who will follow them - hold the keys to Kentucky's mining success," concluded Rep. Adkins October 10, 2006 August 24, 2006 Rep. Rocky Adkins Announces $7 Million Water Line Project for Elliott, Lawrence and Carter Counties Frankfort, KY: Rep. Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook) today announced a $7 million project that will bring water lines to residents in Carter, Elliott and Lawrence Counties. A total of 399 homes - 85 in Carter County, 177 in Lawrence County, and 137 in Elliott County - will receive full service water hookups from the new 55.5 miles of water lines. Project costs include $3.2 million for the water lines and $3.6 million for water tank upgrades, pump stations and water plant upgrades. These improvements will increase water supply from 1.6 million gallons a day to 3.1 million gallons a day throughout the three counties. Rattlesnake Ridge Water District is the water service provider. "One of my priorities as a legislator for 20 years has been to bring clean drinking water to our good people in the 99th District," said Rep. Adkins. "This project will provide a healthier standard of living for families and children and improve property values for area homeowners." The project will be funded, in part, by $400,000 from Elliott County coal severance funds and $400,000 from Lawrence County coal severance funds, earmarked in the 2005 and 2006 state budgets by Rep. Adkins. An additional $500,000 was included from Carter County coal severance funds, bringing the coal severance total funding to $1.3 million. EPPC's Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) will fund $1.05 million to provide full service water hookups for 54 residences in Lawrence and Elliott Counties and make a transmission line accessible to other residences along its route. Rep. Adkins was joined by Kentucky Environmenal and Public Protection Cabinet Secretary who said, “I am pleased to join Rep. Adkins in announcing more homes in Elliott, Carter and Lawrence counties will soon have access to the most valuable and precious resource we have – water.” "I'm a big supporter of Kentucky's AML because of the critical work they do in Eastern Kentucky," said Rep. Adkins. A $1 million Community Development Block Grant, a $400,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant and rural development financial support are also part of the funding package. The project is expected to begin in early spring 2007 and be completed in late spring or early summer of 2008. Lists of the project cost estimates, funding sources and waterline extensions are attached. "In a very short time, residents in this area will enjoy good, fresh, clean water from the tap," said Rep. Adkins. "It's my hope that some day soon, every Eastern Kentucky citizen will enjoy this same basic amenity. We have made much progress, but there is still much work left to be done." August 3, 2006 Frankfort, KY: Majority Floor Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook), was elected Vice Chair of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC) Energy and Environment Committee at their annual meeting in Louisville this week. Rep. Adkins has served as a member of the SLC's Energy and Environment Committee for several years. The SLC is composed of legislators from 16 southern states. SLC's Energy and Environment Committee, through panel discussion and presentations, has studied clean water programs and water permitting; alternative energy; the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP); state compliance with federal clean air and water standards; the future for nuclear power; the role of merchant power plants; the ramifications of deregulation on Southern states; growth and sprawl; and surveyed recent legislative and state public utility activity. "As Vice Chair of this important committee I will help focus our mission on the critical energy and environmental issues facing our states today," said Rep. Adkins. "I truly believe that the first challenge we must address head-on is reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and achieving energy independence." Speaking at the SLC's annual meeting held last week, Rep. Adkins said that states should play a key role in breaking free from America's crippling petroleum dependence. He urged private industry, government and universities to coordinate a national, unified effort that would connect all state alternative fuel producing initiatives. "That plan would harness the power of alternative energy sources - coal gasification, liquefaction, biofuels, wind power, solar power, hydro power and other renewables - into a national powerhouse that would put America on a solid path to energy independence," said Rep. Adkins. Rep. Adkins stated that House Bill 299, the Kentucky Energy Security National Leadership Act which he sponsored in the 2006 Legislative Session, could serve as the catalyst for the national effort. "I am excited about this opportunity to help lead the SLC's Energy and Environment Committee and I look forward to working with all members to forge energy and environmental policies that ensure sound stewardship of the region’s resources and the economy of the region as a whole," said Rep. Adkins. Rep. Rocky Adkins currently serves as House Majority Floor Leader after being chosen by the post by his Democratic colleagues in November 2003. He is serving his 20th year as Kentucky District 99 State Representative. Rep. Adkins' SLC presentation and remarks can be viewed on his website at www.rockyadkins.com. July 30, 2006 Louisville, KY: In a presentation to the Energy and Environment Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference today, Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook), called upon Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher to elevate the status of the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy (KOEP) to Cabinet level. Rep. Adkins' outlined the provisions in House Bill 299 (which he sponsored in the 2006 Legislative Session) that direct the KOEP to develop a strategy for production of transportation fuels from coal, oil shale and biomass resources. He said that the energy initiatives already underway in Kentucky, combined with new efforts by the KOEP through HB 299, could lead the nation in the development of new energy technologies that will free the America from its dependence on oil. "Because the national energy crisis continues to escalate, I am now convinced that as state leaders, we must intensify our efforts to find a solution," said Rep. Adkins. "That is why I sent a letter to Gov. Fletcher on Friday, calling upon him to use his executive powers of reorganization to raise the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy to Cabinet level status or attach it directly to his office. This action will send a clear and unmistakable message that here in Kentucky we are serious about providing a leadership role in the national pursuit of energy independence." Rep. Adkins said he told the governor that "even with the disappointment of Kentucky not being selected as a finalist for the FutureGen project, I was proud of our efforts and refuse to become discouraged. In fact, I think now is the right time to act even more decisively." Rep. Adkins also stated that he will continue his legislative advocacy for a sound, responsible energy policy that helps Kentucky emerge as a leader in solving the national energy crisis. July 30, 2006 Louisville, KY: In a presentation to the Energy and Environment Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference today, Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, (D-Sandy Hook), said that states must play a key role in reducing America's dependence on foreign oil and achieving energy independence. Speaking to legislators from 16 states within the Southern Legislative Conference, which met in Louisville for their 60th annual meeting, Rep. Adkins urged private industry, government and universities to coordinate a national, unified effort that would connect all state alternative fuel producing initiatives. "That plan would harness the power of alternative energy sources - coal gasification, liquefaction, biofuels, wind power, solar power, hydro power and other renewables - into a national powerhouse that would put America on a solid path to energy independence," said Rep. Adkins. Rep. Adkins stated that House Bill 299, the Kentucky Energy Security National Leadership Act which he sponsored in the 2006 Legislative Session, could serve as the catalyst for the national effort. HB 299 directs the Kentucky Office of Energy Policy (KOEP) to develop a strategy for production of transportation fuels from coal, oil shale and biomass resources. "By combining Kentucky's energy initiatives already underway with efforts by the KOEP through HB 299, we could lead the nation in the development of new energy technologies that will free America from its dependence on oil," said Rep. Adkins. Rep. Adkins called attention to The American Energy Security Study, recently released by the Southern States Energy Board (SSEB). The SSEB, a non-profit organization created by state law and consented to by Congress in 1960, enhances economic development and the quality of life in the South through innovations in energy and environmental policies, programs and technologies. Rep. Adkins, a member of the SSEB, stated that the new study names four major oil risks that America currently faces; "If we could reduce the oil we now import from foreign countries and offer our military, business consumers, and individual fuel users domestic alternatives, this would offer relief at the pump and save billions of dollars that could be spent in building more alternate fuel plants," said Rep. Adkins. Rep. Adkins encouraged state legislators to enter the 2007 legislative sessions with plans to pass legislation that reduces America's dependence on foreign oil; provide incentives for the production of alternative transportation fuels from indigenous natural resources such as coal, biomass and oil shale; and provide inducements to companies that want to help protect America by offering solutions to our liquid transportation fuels dilemma. "We must have the national will to move this policy into reality and break our crippling petroleum dependence," said Rep. Adkins. |
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© 2007 Representative Rocky Adkins
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Rep. Adkins was asked to speak about his energy legislation to the Conference of Southern County Associations (CSCA) in May. CSCA membership includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. This consortium represents 1380 counties (45% of the nation’s counties) and local government officials throughout the southeastern United States through 15 state associations. Conference attendees include state executive directors and their immediate staff.
Develop a strategy to convert at least 50% of the state's fleet to alternative energy vehicles and provide LRC with a timeline to achieve this.
Frankfort, KY: Majority Floor Leader Rocky Adkins, (D, Sandy Hook), addressed students and others at the first Lawrence County Schools Kentucky Junior Coal Academy Advisory Board meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 10 a.m. at the Lawrence County Community Center. 
Under Rep. Adkins leadership and advocacy, the Kentucky General Assembly approved $17 million for the third phase of the project, in addition to the $18 million ACTC had been awarded for Phase II.
Excessive dependence on foreign oil and unstable suppliers;