Where we go from here
The release of the Empower Kentucky Plan takes place in a troubled moment for Kentucky, the country, and the world. The power of fossil fuel industries is everywhere evident in our democracy. There appear to be few opportunities and little support for advancing a just transition to a clean energy economy within the Kentucky General Assembly or the U.S. Congress. Instead, our country is on the verge of lurching backwards on clean energy and climate commitments, a possibility that poses grave risks for our economy, health and climate.
Despite that reality, members of Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, along with many other Kentuckians, remain determined. This plan reminds us that even a coal-dominated state like Kentucky has options – choices we could make today – that are good for workers, residents, and our climate. The Empower Kentucky Plan and process offer a hopeful model about what is needed, and what it will take, to build shared political will for a just transition.
While we are realistic about political roadblocks, we refuse to be limited by them. The stakes are too high. We continue to organize for better state and federal energy policies. And we’ll seize every opportunity to implement pieces of this plan and make progress at a local level. This plan offers a positive vision and a menu of good ideas that can be taken up by mayors and city council members, state legislators, candidates running for office, community organizations, labor leaders, students, health advocates, congregations, the Public Service Commission, and utilities themselves.
Today many people across Kentucky and the US are in motion. They are organizing for better jobs, better health, racial and economic justice, climate action, just transition, and a healthy democracy. They are working to advance clean energy projects and policies locally, including within our cities, school districts, and local utilities. They are showing up at town hall meetings, rallies, and offices to demand better from state and national leaders. And many are making decisions to run for office themselves or support others to run with a vision for Empowering Kentucky.
It is our hope and intention that this plan, and the grassroots process that created it, will contribute to powerful local, state, and national organizing campaigns in the months and years ahead.
