Environment

Record March warmth and not too much April rain have the crop year in Tennessee off to a great start. The only obstacles were overnight freezes in April that damaged some grape crops and some early sweet corn. Now the concern is timely rainfall. Rainfall since January 1 in the western part of the state is off about 8 inches.

LBL officials will hold a public meeting this evening to discuss ways to address a fifty percent cut to the park's maintenance budget. The meeting is the final of four scheduled to seek public input on how to reduce spending and better manage funds. Thus far, officials say park users have been supportive, though numbers at the meetings have been low. The park has around two million visitors each year. Tonight’s meeting is from 5-7 at the Senior/Community Center in Grand Rivers.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission is set to decide soon whether American Electric Power can keep burning coal at an eastern Kentucky power plant.

Kentucky Power’s Big Sandy Power Plant in Lawrence County burns coal, and the company, which is owned by American Electric Power, is asking for PSC approval to install pollution controls to comply with federal regulations and continue burning coal.

But several entities intervening in the case argue that coal isn’t the least-cost option, considering that federal carbon regulations may be in store in the next few decades.

The Arboretum at Murray State University celebrated Arbor Day 2012 on Saturday, April 28. The event began at 10 a.m. with a presentation by Dr. Winston Dunwell, noted expert in the world of ornamental horticulture. A question-and-answer session was held following Dunwell’s remarks. 

The Kentucky Supreme Court has ruled environmental groups can intervene in a court case involving a coal company and water pollution. Thursday’s ruling upholds a lower court decision that the groups can participate in a lawsuit filed by the state’s Energy and Environment Cabinet against Frasure Creek Mining. The state filed a lawsuit against the mining company for violations of the Clean Water Act in eastern Kentucky. A settlement was reached, but the environmental groups say it is inadequate.