By AP
Frankfort, KY – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says he's encouraging President Barack Obama to protect the energy interests of Kentucky and other coal-producing states. Beshear and several other governors met with the President Wednesday. Beshear says he told the president that so-called "cap-and-trade" legislation would be a bad deal for Kentucky. And Beshear says he complained to Obama about "unconscionable delays" by federal agencies in deciding whether to approve mining permits in Kentucky.
According to the Governor, nearly 50 requests for surface mining permits are under review by the Environmental Protection Agency. He says some of the requests were submitted more than five years ago. Beshear also says abrupt changes in coal regulations would balloon energy costs and cripple manufacturing industries in Kentucky, which has relatively low electricity rates.