What Kentucky Is Already Doing

In November, 2008 Governor Steve Beshear and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters unveiled the state’s first-ever comprehensive energy plan, Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future: Kentucky’s 7-Point Strategy for Energy Independence. Governor Beshear had charged Secretary Peters with developing the plan when he established the Energy and Environment Cabinet and appointed Dr. Peters as secretary,

The plan calls for significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while creating some 40,000 jobs tied to energy production and conservation between now and 2025.

“Kentucky can be a national leader in energy technology and production,” Gov. Beshear said in releasing the nearly 150-page plan, “We can help the country move toward greater energy self-reliance. I intend to put us on such a path.”

The new energy plan builds on the efforts of state legislators who in recent years have crafted legislation designed to invest more in technology, research and energy production. It provides a framework for future initiatives and discussions. The plan centers on seven primary strategies:

1. Improve the energy efficiency of Kentucky’s homes, buildings, industries and transportation fleet; 
2. Increase Kentucky’s use of renewable energy; 
3. Sustainably grow Kentucky’s production of biofuels; 
4. Develop a coal-to-liquids industry in Kentucky to replace petroleum-based liquids; 
5. Implement a major and comprehensive effort to increase gas, including coal-to-gas in Kentucky; 
6. Initiate aggressive carbon capture/sequestration projects for coal-generated electricity in Kentucky; and 
7. Examine the use of nuclear power for electricity generation in Kentucky.

Specifically, the plan calls for a 20 percent reduction from 1990 levels in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. That is a 50 percent reduction from projected emission levels if Kentucky continued on its current pace of electricity and energy use and production.

For a Fact Sheet on the Plan click here.