From Vera:
For decades, United States Representative Hal Rogers has worked to bring a new federal prison to his district in eastern Kentucky—specifically, at the site of a former coal mine in Letcher County. In September 2022, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) announced a plan to build a medium-security facility on the site—a win for Rogers. Local groups have been fighting the move, arguing that, in addition to the environmental health risks the site poses, another prison is unnecessary and a waste of public dollars. Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Letcher would be the fifth federal prison in eastern Kentucky alone and would cost the public $500 million.
The proposed site has already been devastated by mountaintop mining, which is considered one of the most destructive ways to mine coal because it contaminates the air and waterways, destroys forests, and increases the risk of flooding. Local activists have said constructing a new prison would cause further damage and emit thousands of pounds of greenhouse gases.
The BOP’s own environmental impact statement notes that the construction and operation of FCI Letcher may lead to more stormwater runoff, which could harm the environment, pollute waterways and wetlands, and cause flooding. According to the statement, the BOP’s plan “incorporates measures to avoid or minimize environmental impacts to the extent practicable.” Continue reading
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