By Rebecca Feldhaus/KPR
Frankfort, KY – Legislation allowing a Louisville-area pilot program on regionalization of wastewater treatment passed the House this year, but died in the Senate. House Speaker Pro Tem Larry Clark, who's trying to revive the bill, says building more and more local treatment plants limits growth, and it's not an environmentally sound strategy.
"The capacity is filled, if not over. It stunts our growth, especially in east Jefferson County. I think there's a balance for the environment. There's opportunity for growth."
But Georgetown Senator Damon Thayer says regionalization just creates another non-elected board with the power to set rates that are difficult for consumers to challenge. Thayer says if the regional approach is taken, an entity like the Public Service Commission should have final say over rate hikes.