Questioning a Coal Plant in Kentucky? Blasphemy!

It's about fucking time.

In a letter last month to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the federal Environmental Protection Agency raised concerns over East Kentucky Power Cooperative's proposed coal-fired power plant in Clark County.

It's the latest in mounting criticism that has plagued the long-discussed plant, which was effectively placed on hold earlier this year by the cooperative, though leaders say they still intend to go forward and build it after assessing the co-op's finances.

In the letter, which was obtained and released by a number of environmental groups that have long opposed the plant, the EPA objects to the cooperative's proposed coal technology to power the plant and noted other more environmentally friendly options including natural gas.

The EPA's Heinz J. Mueller, chief of the National Environmental Policy Act program office, wrote that other options might cost more than the cooperative's favored coal-fired design, but the "EPA does not believe that the cost differential justifies selection of a power plant design that would generate substantively greater emissions."

Mueller's comments came as part of an environmental study that is being done by the Army Corps of Engineers for the plant, which would provide power for 150,000 homes. The co-op produces power for its 16 member co-ops that in turn service more than 500,000 homes, farms and businesses throughout Central and Eastern Kentucky.

Mueller noted, too, that renewable energy sources such as wind and solar could allow the cooperative to "reduce or even eliminate the need" to build a new power plant for its electric load.

The EPA has been gobbling Big Coal cock for 40 straight years, and Kentucky and Kentuckians have suffered the consequences.

There is no more justification for building yet another coal-fired plant than there is for drilling yet more deepwater oil wells offshore.

Don't get too excited, kids: Big Coal will get its coal plant eventually, after shelling out millions in bribes to Congress and paying millions more in lip service to clean energy.

But it's a crack in the wall. If you want to stick a crowbar in there and try to lever it open, Call or email your members of Congress here.