Tagged: energy

The Kentucky state capitol will turn off unnecessary lights tomorrow night as part of International Earth Hour. This is the fourth consecutive year the capitol has participated in the event sponsored by the World Wildlife Federation. Officials say this is part a comprehensive plan to reduce energy consumption in state buildings by 15% in the next three years and 25% by 2025.

US Senator Rand Paul says the federal energy department should stop its loan guarantee program for companies developing alternative energy products. The Kentucky Republican told Energy Secretary Steven Chu Tuesday some of the loans have gone to wealthy friends of President Obama and that raises questions about the whole program.

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would designate some coal severance tax money to scholarships for coalfields residents; the measure has already passed the House. But a report by a non-profit group warns that Kentucky needs to think about the long-term future of the state’s coal severance fund. Coal producers pay a tax of four and a half percent value of coal that’s sold into the state’s coal severance fund. Half of that money goes to Kentucky’s general fund, and the other half goes to various programs in coal-producing counties.

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has joined with members of the Commonwealth's congressional delegation to press the US Department of Energy to offer a plan for the future of Paducah's government-owned nuclear enrichment plant.  The plant could cease operations later this year, eliminating about 1,200 jobs.  Beshear sent a letter to Energy Secretary Steven Chu Monday, saying lack of action by the DOE is putting a major economic engine in western Kentucky at risk.  Beshear's letter came days after Republican Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, Senator Rand Paul and Representative Ed Whitfield call