In an effort to highlight the issues related to energy independence and security, the Kentucky Energy Forum is highlighting the candidates for District 18 State Senator in the special election to be held on Tuesday, August 25.
You may visit Dr. Jack Ditty's campaign website by clicking here.
QUESTION ONE
KENTUCKY ENERGY FORUM: Do you believe that tax incentives should be awarded to energy companies to encourage investment in Kentucky? (part one)
DITTY: Yes, we should make every attempt to encourage companies to invest here. Kentucky has the workforce and natural resources that are a perfect fit for energy companies looking to relocate.
KEF: Do you believe these incentives should be extended to promote increased coal mining and natural gas development? (part two)
DITTY: Yes, coal and natural gas will continue to be an integral part of energy production in the future, and these incentives will help companies to find new ways to burn coal more efficiently and safely.
KEF: Do you believe these incentives should be expanded to existing companies? (part three)
DITTY: Yes, we should protect existing companies that are currently providing jobs in our communities; they should not be excluded simply because they are already in Kentucky. Please provide detailed answers. Any incentives offered to companies should be performance-based and tied to new job creation.
QUESTION TWO
KEF: Do you support tax incentives for ‘thin-seam’ coal mining to encourage extraction of hard-to-mine coal?
DITTY: Yes.
QUESTION THREE
KEF: Do you support the general principal of cap-and-trade to lower air emissions and/or reduce the carbon footprint? Please explain you position in detail on this issue.
DITTY: Lowering air emissions is a worthwhile goal, but using a utility tax, and dressing it up as “cap and trade” is not the solution. Funding research that will create full-scale production methods that burn coal cleanly will significantly lower emissions at a faster rate than cap and trade. States like Kentucky will suffer dire consequences if a utility tax is passed. We have an electricity rate that is one of the lowest in the country, which helps us to attract business and create jobs. Cap and trade would, by some estimates, triple the average Kentucky electricity bill, while allowing New York and California to lower their rates.
KEF: How would you propose to encourage development of alternative transportation fuels in Kentucky? What would you view as the top three alternative transportation fuels?
DITTY: Funding performance-based grants will give companies the tools they will need to advance research that is underway in Eastern and Western Kentucky. Coal to Diesel, Coal to Synthetic Natural Gas, and Biomass
QUESTION FIVE
KEF: In your opinion, does the growing of industrial hemp present itself as a viable option for biomass feedstock? Please explain why or why not? What other sources of biomass feedstock do you consider as a viable feedstock?
DITTY: Hemp was at one point one of Kentucky’s biggest exports, but it has been over 150 years since hemp was grown on a commercial basis. Switchgrass or wood fiber seems to be the best feedstock for biomass energy production. Corn was under consideration, but the recent spike in corn prices due to ethanol production makes it a less appealing source.
QUESTION SIX
KEF: What role does energy efficiency play in a comprehensive energy plan for Kentucky?
DITTY: Everyone should take steps to consume as little energy as possible. This will result in lower utility bills, a cleaner environment, and higher quality of life in Kentucky.
KEF: What steps should State Government take to reduce and/or improve energy use in its functions, such as transportation fuels and energy efficiency?
DITTY: We should make sure that tax dollars are spent in the most efficient way possible. Any state agency or equipment should be held to a higher standard when it comes to energy efficiency. Kentucky should lead by example and make every aspect of state government as efficient and productive as possible.
QUESTION EIGHT
KEF: Do you see renewable energy, such as wind, solar and hydro, as viable options for energy diversification in Kentucky? What would you do to promote implementation of these energy sources, if they are viable?
DITTY: Renewable energy is more suitable in other parts in the country, than in Kentucky. Our topography is not suited for wind and solar, and Kentucky does not have a large supply of running water that could be used to consistently supply electricity. However, if any renewable energy source is shown to be effective and consistent, they should be open to receive incentives just like any other source of alternative energy.
QUESTION NINE
KEF: What would you do to support energy workforce training and education, besides existing workforce development and higher education programs?
DITTY: I would push for an increase in focus on the science and math curriculum in our schools. Science and math have proven to be the cornerstone of creating a workforce that has the technical knowledge to compete in our rapidly changing workplace. I would also advocate to increase the number of programs offered by KCTCS that are specific to the energy field. Energy companies look for a workforce that is well skilled in math and science, and Kentucky can level the playing field when we are competing with other states for new industry by providing graduates with the critical knowledge needed to be engineers and technicians.
QUESTION TEN
KEF: Including specifics in your district, what impact does the energy industry have on your district? What future prospects are there for energy development in your district and how you would work to promote that development?
DITTY: Naturally, Ashland Oil is a great example of a company that has been an integral part of our community for generations. Ashland Oil has been able to survive all these years by paying attention to the changing landscape in which they operate. New processes are evolving every day and businesses have to be flexible and proactive to keep their company on the cutting edge. Our district has been, and we will continue to be tied to energy production. By finding ways to burn coal cleaner and extracting hard to reach oil and natural gas, we will utilize our abundant gift of natural resources in new ways, which will keep Kentucky competitive in the fight to make our country more energy independent.
KENTUCKY ENERGY FORUM: Do you believe that tax incentives should be awarded to energy companies to encourage investment in Kentucky? (part one)
DITTY: Yes, we should make every attempt to encourage companies to invest here. Kentucky has the workforce and natural resources that are a perfect fit for energy companies looking to relocate.
KEF: Do you believe these incentives should be extended to promote increased coal mining and natural gas development? (part two)
DITTY: Yes, coal and natural gas will continue to be an integral part of energy production in the future, and these incentives will help companies to find new ways to burn coal more efficiently and safely.
KEF: Do you believe these incentives should be expanded to existing companies? (part three)
DITTY: Yes, we should protect existing companies that are currently providing jobs in our communities; they should not be excluded simply because they are already in Kentucky. Please provide detailed answers. Any incentives offered to companies should be performance-based and tied to new job creation.
QUESTION TWO
KEF: Do you support tax incentives for ‘thin-seam’ coal mining to encourage extraction of hard-to-mine coal?
DITTY: Yes.
QUESTION THREE
KEF: Do you support the general principal of cap-and-trade to lower air emissions and/or reduce the carbon footprint? Please explain you position in detail on this issue.
DITTY: Lowering air emissions is a worthwhile goal, but using a utility tax, and dressing it up as “cap and trade” is not the solution. Funding research that will create full-scale production methods that burn coal cleanly will significantly lower emissions at a faster rate than cap and trade. States like Kentucky will suffer dire consequences if a utility tax is passed. We have an electricity rate that is one of the lowest in the country, which helps us to attract business and create jobs. Cap and trade would, by some estimates, triple the average Kentucky electricity bill, while allowing New York and California to lower their rates.
QUESTION FOUR
KEF: How would you propose to encourage development of alternative transportation fuels in Kentucky? What would you view as the top three alternative transportation fuels?
DITTY: Funding performance-based grants will give companies the tools they will need to advance research that is underway in Eastern and Western Kentucky. Coal to Diesel, Coal to Synthetic Natural Gas, and Biomass
QUESTION FIVE
KEF: In your opinion, does the growing of industrial hemp present itself as a viable option for biomass feedstock? Please explain why or why not? What other sources of biomass feedstock do you consider as a viable feedstock?
DITTY: Hemp was at one point one of Kentucky’s biggest exports, but it has been over 150 years since hemp was grown on a commercial basis. Switchgrass or wood fiber seems to be the best feedstock for biomass energy production. Corn was under consideration, but the recent spike in corn prices due to ethanol production makes it a less appealing source.
QUESTION SIX
KEF: What role does energy efficiency play in a comprehensive energy plan for Kentucky?
DITTY: Everyone should take steps to consume as little energy as possible. This will result in lower utility bills, a cleaner environment, and higher quality of life in Kentucky.
QUESTION SEVEN
KEF: What steps should State Government take to reduce and/or improve energy use in its functions, such as transportation fuels and energy efficiency?
DITTY: We should make sure that tax dollars are spent in the most efficient way possible. Any state agency or equipment should be held to a higher standard when it comes to energy efficiency. Kentucky should lead by example and make every aspect of state government as efficient and productive as possible.
QUESTION EIGHT
KEF: Do you see renewable energy, such as wind, solar and hydro, as viable options for energy diversification in Kentucky? What would you do to promote implementation of these energy sources, if they are viable?
DITTY: Renewable energy is more suitable in other parts in the country, than in Kentucky. Our topography is not suited for wind and solar, and Kentucky does not have a large supply of running water that could be used to consistently supply electricity. However, if any renewable energy source is shown to be effective and consistent, they should be open to receive incentives just like any other source of alternative energy.
QUESTION NINE
KEF: What would you do to support energy workforce training and education, besides existing workforce development and higher education programs?
DITTY: I would push for an increase in focus on the science and math curriculum in our schools. Science and math have proven to be the cornerstone of creating a workforce that has the technical knowledge to compete in our rapidly changing workplace. I would also advocate to increase the number of programs offered by KCTCS that are specific to the energy field. Energy companies look for a workforce that is well skilled in math and science, and Kentucky can level the playing field when we are competing with other states for new industry by providing graduates with the critical knowledge needed to be engineers and technicians.
QUESTION TEN
KEF: Including specifics in your district, what impact does the energy industry have on your district? What future prospects are there for energy development in your district and how you would work to promote that development?
DITTY: Naturally, Ashland Oil is a great example of a company that has been an integral part of our community for generations. Ashland Oil has been able to survive all these years by paying attention to the changing landscape in which they operate. New processes are evolving every day and businesses have to be flexible and proactive to keep their company on the cutting edge. Our district has been, and we will continue to be tied to energy production. By finding ways to burn coal cleaner and extracting hard to reach oil and natural gas, we will utilize our abundant gift of natural resources in new ways, which will keep Kentucky competitive in the fight to make our country more energy independent.
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