Kentucky Governor Releases Energy Plan

On November 20, 2008, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear released “Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future,” a comprehensive energy plan for the state including seven strategies for managing energy production and consumption. Among the proposed strategies, a Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) would require that 25 percent of Kentucky’s total energy needs by 2025 are met through a combination of energy efficiency and conservation measures, new renewable electricity generation, and an Alternative Transportation Fuel Standard (ATFS) to increase the use of biofuels and other petroleum substitutes. Under the REPS, efficiency and conservation would reduce energy use by 18 percent from their projected levels, and renewable electricity generation would increase by 1,000 megawatts. The ATFS sets a goal of meeting 12 percent of motor fuels demand with biofuels. Coal-based energy sources retain a central role in Kentucky’s energy strategy; the plan includes extensive efforts for research, development, and deployment of carbon capture and sequestration, coal-to-liquids and coal-to-gas technology.

According to the energy plan, full implementation of the strategies would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2025 and generate 30,000 to 40,000 new jobs in the clean energy sector.

Press Release
Energy Plan
Climate Action Plans