Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Governor Fletcher announces refund of mine permit fees

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Aug. 13, 2007) – Governor Fletcher announced today that fiscal courts in 35 counties will receive refunds from mining permit and acreage fees.  The Department for Natural Resources collects mining permit and acreage fees and returns a portion of the fees to coal-producing counties for general purposes to be determined by the fiscal court.

“These funds demonstrate another reason coal mining is vitally important to local communities in Kentucky,” said Governor Fletcher.  “The commonwealth’s coal industry not only provides thousands of jobs for Kentuckians, but keeps our state’s energy costs low and provides this direct benefit to coal-producing local governments.”

Refunds range from $125 to $96,933.25, with nine counties each receiving more than $24,000.