Kentucky's Climate Change Action Planning Process   

The Commonwealth of Kentucky established the Kentucky Climate Action Plan Council (KCAPC) process to identify opportunities for Kentucky to respond to the challenge of global climate change while becoming more energy efficient, more energy independent, and spurring economic growth. 

Recognizing the interconnectedness of energy, environment and economic development, in June of 2009 Governor Steven L. Beshear created the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC). Three departments within the EEC — Department for Environmental Protection, Department for Natural Resources and Department for Energy Development and Independence — are participating in the Kentucky Climate Action planning process. 

In December 2009 the EEC Secretary appointed a diverse group of stakeholders representing academia, agriculture, business, forestry, industry, environmental groups and many levels of government to serve on the KCAPC. The Council is charged with collectively developing an action plan to address the causes of climate change, prepare for the likely consequences and impacts of climate change to Kentucky, and establish firm benchmarks and timetables for implementing the KCAPC recommendations. The KCAPC link at left documents the meetings of the Council.

KCAPC is organized into five technical working groups to determine the most cost-effective approaches improving energy efficiency and reducing Kentucky’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from key sectors of the economy. Use the Technical Working Groups link at left for a list of the members and information on the activites of these groups.

The Commonwealth requested the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS), a nonprofit research organization that has provided technical assistance and facilitation of climate planning processes in more than 20 states, assist in the development of the Kentucky Climate Action Plan (KCAP). CCS is providing technical analysis and facilitation of meetings. 

For a schedule of the Council’s work, background information on the science of climate change, impacts of climate change on Kentucky, what the state is already doing, and useful links to Kentucky government programs and actions by other U.S. states, use the links at left.

Also, for useful links and documents related to climate work, including the Southern Governor’s Association Climate Initiative and plans done by other U.S. states use the link at lower left. 

Homepage of the Kentucky Climate Action Plan Council

KCAPC's 5th meeting
will be held on
Monday October 18, 2010
[rescheduled from Sept. 29]
from
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST

For further information and
materials for the meeting will be posted |
on  the Council's page.

The KCAPC Interim Report is now available 
at the Key Kentucky Documents section.