The Tennessee Gas Pipeline has transported natural gas throughout eighteen Kentucky counties over the past seventy years.  Recently, Kinder-Morgan Energy Partners submitted a proposal to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to repurpose the pipeline and enable it to carry natural gas liquids. While it is uncertain if the proposal will even be approved, much debate exists regarding the environmental impact if the gas line is converted.  

During the most recent session of Kentucky’s General Assembly, Kentucky Senators, Robin L. Webb and C.B. Embry Jr., introduced SB 55. This bipartisan bill will create a new section of KRS Chapter 217 that prohibits state and local governments from restricting, but not regulating, the donation of game meat to or from not-for-profit organizations for the purpose of free meal distribution.

Nur Energy, a Tunisian company, plans on harnessing solar energy in the Sahara Desert, one of the largest deserts in the world.  With a global depletion of natural resources, energy scientists and companies have begun to utilize alternate forms of energy. Raw forms of energy, like solar energy from the sun, have become increasingly popular. Solar energy is inexpensive and in many places, like the Sahara Desert, is readily available for use. The Sahara, with its vast desert plains and almost constant sunlight proves to be a great place for multiple solar plants. The intense radiation from the constant, incoming rays along the Sahara, especially in Tunisia, can prove to be a major solution to this negative dependency on fossil fuels.

In the Bluegrass and the United States, hemp has enjoyed a very rocky history. Mankind has cultivated the plant for thousands of years. Notwithstanding the historical significance of this plant and its many uses, Congress passed the Controlled Substance Act. 

While California is “executing the nation’s first statewide prohibition against grocery stores providing single-use plastic bags,” Jefferson County, Kentucky has adopted a regulation banning the use of most plastic bags for yard waste collection as a means of addressing litter and landfill concerns. On Tuesday, May 6th, 2014 the Louisville and Jefferson County Metro Government Waste Management District’s board voted unanimously (4–0) to approve a regulation banning most plastic bags for yard waste collection. The resolution approved by the waste management board adopted Yard Waste Container Regulation 51.507R, which states, “Containers for the collection of yard waste shall meet the requirements of LMCO Chapter 51.507. As an alternative yard waste may be set out in paper yard waste bags or certified compostable bags meeting ASTM D6400 standards.” In an effort to educate citizens before the regulation becomes effective on January 1, 2015, the Louisville Public Works website provides essential information including the types of acceptable containers, how yard waste will be collected, and links to other useful resources on the subject.

Murray Energy Corporation, along with eleven of its subsidiaries located in Kentucky, Illinois, West Virginia, Utah, and Pennsylvania, filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in March, arguing that the EPA has undergone a “war on coal” by increasing regulation of coal production. Recently, the EPA’s motion to dismiss the suit was denied, allowing Murray’s claim to proceed. The Clean Air Act (CAA) allows industry to file suit against the EPA when the challenging industry can allege the EPA failed “to perform any act or duty under [the CAA] which is not discretionary.” Murray claims the EPA failed to fulfill Section 321, which requires the agency to consider regulations’ effects on industry jobs.

The Republicans pummeled the Democrats in the 2014 elections in November. With a new found majority in the Senate and an expansion of their majority in the House, the Republicans now have full control over Congress.

In August 2014, environmentalists on the western Pacific coast celebrated a “green” victory, as Oregon denied the Australian-based oil and coal company Ambre Energy’s permit application for a coal export terminal, the Morrow Pacific project. Through this operation, Ambre Energy proposed to transport millions of tons of coal, from states such as Wyoming and Montana, down the Columbia River, where it would then be loaded onto ocean vessels and exported to other countries, primarily Asian markets.