The Latest In Kentucky News – March 26th 2014

PIPELINE-EMINENT DOMAIN

Judge: Eminent domain can't be used for pipeline

(Information in the following story is from: Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com )

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A judge has decided that eminent domain can't be used to take private land to build a natural gas pipeline through Kentucky.

Bluegrass Pipeline Co. has said it has the right to condemn property for its pipeline under Kentucky eminent domain law. But the Lexington Herald-Leader said Franklin County Circuit Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled Tuesday that the power of eminent domain can't be delegated to a private company unless the legislature finds it would be in the public interest.

Shepherd says the power has not been delegated to Bluegrass Pipeline for the project.

The citizens group Kentuckians United to Restrain Eminent Domain had sought a ruling on the question.

CHARTER SCHOOLS

Kentucky Senate OKs charter school conversion

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky Senate has passed a bill that would allow persistently low-performing schools to convert to charter schools.

Current Kentucky gives consistently underperforming schools four options for improvement, ranging from restaffing to closing down.

The bill would provide a fifth option, allowing the school to vote on whether to become a charter school.

Republican Sen. Mike Wilson of Bowling Green is the bill's sponsor. He says if 20 percent of parents sign a petition, a vote may be called to consider the conversion.

Opposition to the measure came from Democratic Sen. Gerald Neal of Louisville, who says the bill's objectives are not achievable.

The bill passed along party lines on a 22-14 vote. It now moves to the House for consideration.

CONGRESS-COAL

House moves to block Obama coal rule

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House has approved a bill to prevent the Obama administration from imposing a stream-protection rule for coal mining that government experts say would eliminate thousands of jobs. The rule is intended to replace Bush-era regulations that set up buffer zones around waterways and were aimed chiefly at mountaintop removal mining in Appalachia. The House bill would reinstate the 2008 rule. The measure was approved Tuesday.

Republicans say the new rule is part of what they call President Barack Obama's "war on coal" and would cost more than 7,000 jobs while slashing production.

The White House has threatened to veto the bill, saying it limits states' ability to tailor safeguards to their own needs and wastes millions of dollars adopting a rule that has been vacated by a federal court.

ADULT ABUSE

House OKs bill to form adult protection registry

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — A bill aimed at creating an adult protection registry in Kentucky has passed the state House.

The goal is to provide more assurances that the elderly and disabled are receiving proper care.

The measure cleared the House on a 99-0 vote Tuesday. It returns to the Senate, which will consider changes by the House.

The registry would list people found to have abused, neglected or exploited vulnerable adults.

Care providers for those adults would have to check the registry to make sure potential employees and contractors don't have a history of abusing the elderly or disabled.

Care providers expected to check the registry would include adult day health care programs, assisted-living communities, group homes for people with developmental disabilities, home-health agencies and long-term-care facilities.

LAKE CUMBERLAND-ENDANGERED FISH

Corps OKs increased water level at Lake Cumberland

JAMESTOWN, Ky. (AP) — Lake Cumberland will be allowed to rise to its normal elevation this summer.

Dam repairs have kept the water lowered the last few years, and it was due to rise to normal levels this year, but the discovery of an endangered fish in Lake Cumberland headwaters prompted a delay.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said Tuesday that it has finalized its review and expects conservation measures to protect the duskytail darter's survival in the Big South Fork.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers decided to allow the lake to rise to a target elevation of 723 feet this summer, the normal elevation at the beginning of the recreation season.

Lower water levels beginning in early 2007 affected tourism and the economy at the recreational lake in southern Kentucky.

KENTUCKY COAL

House OKs bill related to Big Sandy Power Plant

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Kentucky House has passed a bill that would require the state's Public Service Commission to reconsider its decision allowing Kentucky Power Co. to shutter part of the Big Sandy Power Plant at Louisa.

The bill co-sponsored by Democratic House Floor Leader Rocky Adkins cleared the House on a 62-34 vote Tuesday. It now goes to the Senate.

The measure would require the PSC to reconsider any multistate deal rejected by another state. Adkins says the decision to close part of the plant sent "shockwaves" through the region and will cost jobs, revenue and demand for Kentucky coal.

Kentucky Power president Greg Pauley has said the plant needed a $1 billion renovation to comply with federal emissions standards. Instead, Pauley decided to close part of the plant and purchase half of the Mitchell Power Plant for $536 million.

DERBY EXHIBIT

27 Ky. artists display work in Derby exhibit

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Works from 27 Kentucky artists are being included in the 2014 Governor's Derby Exhibit in Frankfort.

The exhibit is coordinated by the Kentucky Arts Council and is part of the annual Governor's Derby Celebration.

The exhibit opens Monday in the Capitol Rotunda and runs through May 5. The building is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT weekdays and will be open on May 3, Derby Day, for visitors to see the work.

Arts Council Executive Director Lori Meadows says the event gives many artists in Kentucky an introduction to working with the council. Any Kentucky visual artist 18 or older is eligible to submit work for consideration in the exhibit.

FORT CAMPBELL-SCRAMBLE

Golf scramble for Warrior Transition Battalion

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — The Fort Campbell Warrior Transition Battalion is hosting a first-ever golf tournament.

The Inaugural Eagle Warrior Golf Scramble will be held April 4 at the Clarksville Country Club in Clarksville, Tenn.

Warrior Transition Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Bryan Walrath says the event is a way to raise awareness about the battalion, which helps injured soldiers who have been deployed. Organizers are encouraging each foursome to have at least one wounded soldier or veteran.

Players will have the opportunity to win a $10,000 hole-in-one purse and prizes for best dressed, closest to the pin, longest drive and most honest team as well as door prizes.

Registration is open through April 1 and the cost is $75 per player.