Month: June 2017

Kentucky Washington Youth Tour Students Join Record Crowd

Eighty-three of Kentucky’s best and brightest rising high school seniors descended upon the nation’s capital in June, representing electric cooperatives on the annual Washington Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid, week-long experience sponsored by participating electric cooperatives.

Allison Wade of Jackson Energy was selected as the Youth Leadership Council representative from Kentucky.

“The Youth Tour was an unbelievable experience that was almost too special for words,” Wade said. “Throughout the Youth Tour, I made memories and friendships that I will carry with me for the rest of my life, and I am beyond grateful to share this experience with other cooperatives across Kentucky.”

En route on two motor coaches, the journey began with visits to the homes of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, followed by more than 40 miles of walking to monuments and museums in Washington, D.C..

“As I was surrounded by incredible people, monuments, history, politicians, and current events, Washington D.C. captured my heart,” said Annah Valenta of Blue Grass Energy. “This trip has helped guide my decision to pursue political journalism, a passion of mine which grew much stronger after my week in D.C.. And it’s all thanks to Blue Grass Energy and KAEC.”

Kentucky’s delegation joined a record crowd of 1,800 students at the NRECA Youth Day, where they heard from speakers who motivate and honor the spirit of electric cooperatives’ commitment to community and the important role of being politically aware and politically active.

“I learned about how the government works and I got to see sights that I could only imagine seeing,” said Walker Hancock of South Kentucky RECC. “It was an honor being able to go on this trip and represent SKRECC.”

The students visited Capitol Hill on the same day as the shooting of Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise and four others at a baseball practice. Despite the incident, Kentucky’s congressional delegation kept their commitment to meet with the students, candidly talking about security concerns and answering a wide variety of questions from the students.

“The week I spent in D.C. was a highlight of my life,” said Evan Morton of Meade County RECC. “I am very thankful for Meade Co RECC, as well as all chaperones and youth tour leaders, that offered me such an incredible experience. I left Washington with many memories and new friends that I’ll never forget.”

Coordinated by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, the tour was led by KAEC’s Mary Beth Dennis and 13 chaperones.

“Thanks to Mary Beth and all the folks at KAEC for a wonderful week in Washington D.C.” said Renita Fox, a chaperone from Jackson Energy. “It was an amazing experience and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to see these young kids enjoy and have such a good time together.”

Watch the Kentucky Washington Youth Tour 2017 recap video:

Green Energy Power Plant Expansion Dedication

Officials from East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) and Bavarian Waste Services today dedicated the expansion of the cooperative’s power plant, which is fueled by methane gas from the landfill.

EKPC’s plant at Bavarian Landfill in Boone County, Ky., is the largest landfill gas power plant in the state. It was EKPC’s first such plant when it began operations in 2003. Today, the cooperative has six landfill gas power plants in Kentucky.

“This power plant at Bavarian Landfill plays an important role in providing safe, reliable, affordable energy for our 16 owner-member cooperatives and more than 1 million Kentuckians served by those co-ops,” said Don Mosier, EKPC’s Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President.

In the past year, the power plant was expanded so it can generate nearly 50 percent more electricity. It can generate enough electricity to power more than 2,700 homes.

“This is resource recovery at its best,” said Jim Brueggemann, President of Bavarian.  “It’s not only efficient but clean, and transforms our landfill into an energy factory. As the garbage decomposes we extract the typically undesirable gas for a fuel source that EKPC can use to generate electricity,” Brueggemann explained.  “Bavarian has enjoyed an excellent relationship with EKPC through the years, and we’re thankful to be expanding that today.”

By using methane as fuel, the plant prevents the powerful greenhouse gas from escaping into the atmosphere.

EKPC owns and operates five other landfill gas plants in Kentucky. They are located in Barren, Greenup, Hardin, Laurel and Pendleton counties. Together, these plants generate enough electricity to power more than 8,000 Kentucky homes.