Energy
After shootings, regulator doesn’t recommend additional substation security standards?
The organization in charge of setting and enforcing reliability standards for the U.S. electric grid isn’t recommending new physical security requirements for thousands of electric substations following a rash of shooting attacks that have knocked out power in parts of several states. Jim Robb, CEO of the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, told the Federal […]
Inside the battle over who gets to build the grid of the future
The U.S. Department of Energy issued a draft report in February that found a “pressing need” for new electric transmission infrastructure across the country to improve reliability, connect a rapidly growing number of solar, wind and battery storage projects, supply increasing electric demand and alleviate scattered pockets of consistently high prices across the country. To […]
Manufacturer of material for electric vehicle batteries bringing 562 jobs to Hopkinsville
Two new manufacturing plants, one making material for electric vehicle batteries, will be constructed in Hopkinsville, creating more than 700 jobs over the next couple of years, Gov. Andy Beshear announced on March 30. Microvast Advanced Membrane Inc. will invest $504 million in a 350,000-square-foot facility and employ 562 workers at Commerce Park II on […]
Why Kentucky is dead last for wind and solar production
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here.? LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Andy McDonald recalls a decade-old Kentucky legislative hearing on an energy diversification bill with the same sense of frustration that he felt back […]
Fossil fuel executives see a ‘golden age’ for gas, if they can brand it as ‘clean’
This article originally appeared on Inside Climate News, a nonprofit, independent news organization that covers climate, energy and the environment. It is republished with permission. Sign up for their newsletter here. Natural gas has long been subject to a war of words. Once it was a “bridge fuel” that would straddle the gap from fossil […]
Bill aiming to preserve Kentucky’s coal-fired power plants becomes law without Beshear’s signature
A bill that would make it harder for Kentucky’s utility regulator to allow utilities to retire coal plants on the state’s electricity grid became law Friday without Gov. Andy Beshear’s signature.? Senate Bill 4, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would create a series of prerequisites on the Kentucky Public Service Commission before it […]
Beshear vetoes solar decommissioning bill, saying it weakens local control
Renewable energy developers have surged into Kentucky in recent years, seeking to establish large-scale solar installations covering thousands of acres with panels to harvest energy from the sun. It’s what happens to these large-scale projects at the end of their lives decades from now that Republican lawmakers have tried to address with a bill that […]
Bill making it harder to retire Kentucky coal plants heads to governor’s desk
FRANKFORT — A bill backed by Kentucky’s coal industry that would make it harder for utilities to retire fossil fuel-fired power plants received final passage Thursday in the Kentucky House of Representatives, sending the legislation for Gov. Andy Beshear’s consideration.? Senate Bill 4, primarily sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would impose a series of […]
Beshear appoints former state Rep. Angela Hatton to Public Service Commission
Former state Rep. Angela C. Hatton of Whitesburg is the newest member of the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Gov. Andy Beshear signed the appointment March 10. Hatton, who will serve as the PSC’s vice chair, replaces Marianne Butler of Louisville whose appointment was not confirmed by the Senate. Hatton’s term ends July 1, 2025, according […]
The nation’s biggest electric capacity market needs fixing, critics say
The nation’s largest grid operator is warning that it might not have enough electric generation in the future to guarantee reliability.? And it comes as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission convenes a forum on the multibillion-dollar capacity market PJM operates to ensure there’s enough power to meet demand even during grid emergencies, such as during […]
Senate approves bill to preserve coal-fired power generation in Kentucky
FRANKFORT —The Senate on Thursday approved a bill to keep coal-fired power plants operating in Kentucky, as supporters of the measure railed against federal overreach and the few opponents warned the bill could result in costly state overregulation of utilities. Senate Bill 4 is opposed by the state’s investor-owned utilities, who say it would prevent […]
Kentucky lawmakers advance bill to keep coal on the power grid, cite reliability concerns
FRANKFORT — Kentucky lawmakers are advancing a bill to try to keep coal-fired power plants on the state’s electric grid “for the foreseeable future,” pointing to concerns over rolling blackouts that some utilities implemented when arctic temperatures swept through in December. Senate Bill 4, sponsored by Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, would prevent the Kentucky Public […]