KCC Legislative Summit and
2024 Annual Meeting
Special Keynote:
Kent Chandler, Chairman of the Ky. Public Service Commission
The mission of the Kentucky Public Service Commission is to foster the provision of safe and reliable service at a reasonable price to the customers of jurisdictional utilities while providing for the financial stability of those utilities by setting fair and just rates, and supporting their operational competence by overseeing regulated activities.
Sessions and Trainings on Environmental Issues Before the State General Assembly and Beyond
Join us on Sunday afternoon (1:00-5:00 ET) on January 21st, either in person or virtual. Our in-person conference will be held at Kentucky State University, and you can also select attending virtually via zoom. Want the latest information on environmental issues impacting Kentucky? Want to be a more effective citizen advocate during the General Assembly? Want to know how to put recent federal funding initiatives such as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act into local action? .
We will discuss continuing and emerging environmental issues during Kentucky’s 2024 legislative session. We will also provide resources you will need to be an effective advocate for a wide range of environmental issues impacting Kentucky.
Members in good standing are also invited to VOTE for the KCC 2024 Board of Directors! Details on candidates and ballot can be found HERE.
Logistics:
In-Person attendees: The in-person meeting is located at Kentucky State University campus, 400 East Main St, Frankfort, In Extension building, Room 238. Wifi will be available in the meeting room to view materials online.
Virtual attendees: If you are attending virtually, you should be receiving a zoom link prior to the conference.
Conference Schedule (Wifi will be available on site to view docs online).
1:00-1:10 Welcome and Introductions ,
Dr. Avinash Tope, Director of the Land Grant Program at KSU, Gerry James, KCC Board President; Lane Boldman, KCC Director
1:10-1:50 Legislative Process, Bill Highlights, State Budget
Randy Strobo, Lane Boldman, [KCC House and Senate Environmental Bill List].
Pam Thomas from the Ky. Center for Economic Policy [Budget Presentation Slides Powerpoint], [Budget Presentation Slides PDF].
1:50:2:25 PFAS and Water Quality Panel
Senator Cassie Chambers-Armstrong (D)
Rep. Nina Kulkarni (D) [Link to PFAS bill HB116], [Energy and Environment Cabinet PFAS Map] [Pathways to PFAS]
[Trends in the Regulation of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances]
2:25-3:05 Keynote Presentation- Public Service Commission Chairman Kent Chandler
Kent A. Chandler was appointed to the Public Service Commission by Governor Andy Beshear. His term expires June 30, 2024. Prior to his appointment, he served as Executive Director of the PSC. Previous to becoming Executive Director, he was an advisor to the commissioners, focusing on federal wholesale gas and electricity markets.
Break (15 min)- [Feel free to watch this short Trail Town film- “A Community Conversation” during the break!!]
3:05-3:55 Land Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Issues
Gerry James, Board President of KCC and also Deputy Director of the Sierra Club Outdoors for All program.
Senator Matthew Deneen (R) [Senate Bill 35 Trail Town Legislation (Deneen)]
Zeb Weese Director of the Kentucky Land Trust Coalition. [Ky. Heritage Conservation Fund Overview- Powerpoint] [PDF version]
3:55-4:30 Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure Issues
Mike Proctor and Michael Menor from EVolve Kentucky Electric Vehicle Group. [EV Presentation]
Justin Harrod from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. [EV Stakeholder Presentation]
4:30-5:00 Putting these issues into Actions
Lane Boldman, Randy Strobo, plus materials from Cindy Heine from the League of Women Voters of Kentucky
Additional KCC Conference Resources: Navigating the General Assembly. More Resources can also be found HERE.
Speakers and Topics during KCC’s Legislative Summit
Our Special Guests and Presenters Include:
Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong, Senate District 19.
Senator Matthew Deneen- Senate District 10.
Rep. Nima Kulkarni, House District 40
Justin Harrod, Ky. Transportation Cabinet
Mike Proctor, EVolve Electric Vehicle Group
Gerry Seavo James, KCC President
Lane Boldman, Kentucky Conservation Committee
Randy Strobo, Strobo-Barkley PLLC.
General Assembly Overview, Citizen Lobbying Tools, Federal Initiatives
We’ll provide a broad look at environmental bills before the General Assembly, and related issues including the impacts of funding initiatives such as the Federal Infrastructure law, Inflation Reduction Act, and other important federal initiatives that will impact state government, but also community agencies and nonprofits.
We will provide tools on on ways for citizens to engage as a “citizen lobbyist”, plus tips on how to navigate legislative issues in a virtual world.
We will be placing a special emphasis on what communities can do to support the investments being made at the federal and state level.
Topics You will Learn About
Legislative Process, KCC Bill Highlights and State Budget Issues
We will go over key environmental bills filed to date with KCC legislative agents, as well as an overview of the state budget presented by Pam Thomas of the Ky. Center for Economic Policy.
“Forever Chemicals”- The contamination of our waterways from PFAS
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS, are in Kentucky’s rivers and lakes. The chemicals are in municipal water treatment plants and are accumulating in Kentucky’s fish. Join our guest speakers who are introducing legislation to deal with this prevalent contaminant.
Special Guest: Senator Cassie Chambers Armstrong and Rep. Nima Kulkarni
“Outdoor Recreation as an economic driver for land conservation”
Kentucky’s Trail Towns have become an important component when it comes to promoting land conservation and povides an economic driver for our rural towns through outdoor recreation. Our guest speakers will discuss current policies and proposed legislation to promote multi-user trails.
Special Guests: Gerry Seavo James (KCC President), Zeb Weese from the Kentucky Land Trusts Coalition and Senator Matthew Deneen.
“Our emerging Electric Vehicle Infrastructure”
As lawmakers struggle to fund the maintenance of our roadways, they are dealing with a transition away from the gas tax, and the need to build out our infrastructure for the future of electric cars.
Special Guests: Mike Proctor of EVolve Electric Vehicle Group and Justin Harrod with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
