Cave won't be destroyed for landfill

Posted: Thu 9:10 AM, Mar 21, 2013

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A central Kentucky cave won't be destroyed for the purpose of building a landfill.

LG&E and KU Energy had proposed the landfill on 218 acres of land it owns in Trimble County as a new, more environmentally friendly way to dispose of its coal burning waste because its ash storage ponds are getting full.

A cave that was discovered on the property in 2011 put the plans on hold because caves are generally protected under Kentucky law.

The Courier Journal reports state environmental regulators issued a preliminary decision that was made public Wednesday to deny a permit for the landfill because of the cave.

LG&E spokeswoman Chris Whelen says the company won't oppose the decision, but will propose new location on its property for the landfill.

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