Governor Beshear Determined to Make Kentucky
the Energy Capital of the World
Announces development of comprehensive energy plan for state
FRANKFORT, KY (July 16, 2008) –Confronted by rising gas prices and citing Kentucky's traditional role as a leading energy producer, Governor Steve Beshear today said now is the time for the state to lead the nation to an era of energy self-sufficiency.
The Governor and Energy and Environment Cabinet Secretary Len Peters today unveiled ways in which the administration will explore all options in meeting that goal.
“We are all tired of seeing our hard earned dollars going overseas to countries that, for the most part, despise us, because we need their foreign oil to run our cars and trucks and heat our homes,” said Gov. Beshear. “If ever there was a time for this country to become energy independent, that time is now. Kentucky is sitting on top of all of the resources it will take to aggressively pursue that goal.”
When creating the Energy and Environment Cabinet last month, the governor charged Secretary Peters to develop a comprehensive energy plan for the commonwealth. In a news conference today, the governor outlined more details around the goals and vision of the newly created Energy and Environment Cabinet, which incorporates the Departments for Environmental Protection and Natural Resources and the former Governor’s Office of Energy Policy.
“We have to contend with the reality that, going forward, our state’s energy policy will be increasingly influenced by decisions at the national level," Secretary Peters said "It is imperative that we have policies and programs in place that allow us to utilize our energy resources in an environmentally sound manner and that help us to achieve energy independence. Our strategic plan will help us do that."
Gov. Beshear said that, at a minimum, he expects the comprehensive plan to:
- Create thousands of additional jobs for Kentuckians in our energy sector.
Result in Kentuckians using less energy. The state ranks 6th in the nation in per capita energy usage.
- More fully use our wind, solar and other renewable energy resources. Right now, less than 3 percent of our electricity is generated by renewable sources, and most of that is hydro-electric.
Editor's Note: We are all for making Kentucky the energy capital of the world - as long as we don't make it the mountaintop removed, stream polluted, black lung suffered, radiation poisoned Capital of the World at the same time.
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