After the weekend’s storms, thousands of families in Kentucky were left without power. Kentucky’s 26 electric cooperatives are making great progress restoring electric service and are advising consumer-members on how long it will take until power is restored for everyone.

Co-ops reported that at the height of the outage, over 98,000 consumer-members without power. As of 10:00 AM (EST) on Tuesday, May 28, about 36,000 members were without power. For an updated outage map, click here.

Due to the high number of members without power, sister co-ops have come to lend aid in various regions: Fleming-Mason Energy sent a crew to Meade County RECC; Owen Electric sent ten crews to Cumberland Valley Electric; Pennyrile Electric welcomed contractors and cooperatives from Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio and Georgia; and Gibson Electric received assistance from Pickwick Electric and Forked Deer Electric in Tennessee, Cruse Powerline in Mayfield and Tennessee Valley Electric.

“It is our top priority to ensure that our consumer-members’ lights turn back on as soon as possible,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “That’s why we are so proud of our 26 electric cooperatives’ diligent work to restore power quickly and safely.”

On Monday, Governor Beshear updated the Commonwealth on the status of power outages, fatalities caused by storm damage and the resiliency of Kentuckians. He was joined by Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray. Read the press release here.

“Communities across Kentucky experienced storms that produced strong winds, multiple tornadoes and hail in some places. The storm knocked out power for thousands of Kentuckians, temporarily shut down numerous roads and interstates, and caused massive damage to homes and businesses,” said Governor Beshear. “But like we always see after severe weather events, first responders and everyday Kentuckians rallied to help each other in those toughest moments.”

“Crews mobilized yesterday and worked through the day and overnight to help clear roads of trees on state-maintained routes and to support first responder and utility restoration efforts,” said Secretary Gray. “Clearing roadways could take time, especially if it requires clearing downed power lines first. Our Team Kentucky crews are dedicated to keeping travelers safe. Please watch out for them on the roads, drive alert and slow down.”

Gov. Andy Beshear updated Kentuckians on the state’s ongoing response to strong storms that moved through the commonwealth yesterday.

“Communities across Kentucky experienced storms that produced strong winds, multiple tornadoes and hail in some places. The storm knocked out power for thousands of Kentuckians, temporarily shut down numerous roads and interstates, and caused massive damage to homes and businesses,” Gov. Beshear said. “But like we always see after severe weather events, first responders and everyday Kentuckians rallied to help each other in those toughest moments.”

Sadly, the Governor reported there are four confirmed fatalities related to the storms. The deaths occurred in the city of Louisville as well as Hardin, Hopkins and Mercer counties.

“That means we know that there’s at least four families this morning that suffered the loss of a loved one less than 24 hours ago and are hurting,” Gov. Beshear said. “We ought to rally around and do everything we can to carry them in the days, the weeks and the years to come.”

In addition to the four deaths, a Hopkins County man was injured and is currently in the hospital in critical condition.

The Governor is traveling to the hardest impacted areas in Hopkins and Muhlenberg counties to view storm damage and speak with local officials and family members. He also urged those who have experienced storm damage to take photographs before cleaning up and report the damages to local county emergency management officials.

Kentucky Emergency Management Director Eric Gibson and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Jim Gray joined the Governor at the state’s Emergency Operations Center in Frankfort to provide updates.

“Crews mobilized yesterday and worked through the day and overnight to help clear roads of trees on state-maintained routes and to support first responder and utility restoration efforts,” said Secretary Gray. “Clearing roadways could take time, especially if it requires clearing downed power lines first. Our Team Kentucky crews are dedicated to keeping travelers safe. Please watch out for them on the roads, drive alert and slow down.”

KYEM Director Gibson stressed that help remains available, “The number I wanted to make sure that I shared with you is to our 24-hour watch center that is staffed around the clock here, and this number is not only good when we are in the middle of a storm but if there’s something that you need that you think that Kentucky Emergency Management can provide, we keep staff here 24-7. 1-800-255-2587 – that will be something you want to use if you’re having trouble making contact with your KSP post or local emergency management, as we know they are extremely busy right now.”

Key Updates

The Governor declared a state of emergency and implemented the state’s price gouging laws as storms produced multiple waves of heavy showers and thunderstorms, bringing strong winds, large hail and strong tornadoes. Consumers in the commonwealth can report price gouging to the Office of the Attorney General.

The Emergency Operations Center was activated to a Level 3 status and response efforts by: Kentucky Emergency Management, Transportation Cabinet, Kentucky State Police, the Energy and Environment Cabinet, the Department for Public Health, the National Weather Service, Kentucky State Parks, Forestry, Red Cross and many others.

Fourteen counties have declared a State of Emergency. Emergency declarations in: Bullitt, Caldwell, Clay, Clinton, Hopkins, Knox, Logan, Lyon, Marshall, McLean, Muhlenberg, Simpson, Todd and Trigg counties. The five cities with declarations are: Albany, Cadiz, Dawson Springs, Manchester and Russellville.

Owensboro Health in Muhlenberg County lost power and was operating on back-up generators before power was restored. There are also four long-term health care centers on generators, including two in Dawson Springs, one in the city of LaCenter and one in the city of Greenville.

The Division of Forestry has deployed seven saw teams to remove fallen trees and debris. The Kentucky National Guard has stepped up to help once again to join the Division of Forestry in Christian and Muhlenberg counties.

Our Kentucky State Police worked around the clock answering calls and responding to calls of distress. Unfortunately, KSP communication was hit hard by last night’s storms and several KSP post phone lines were knocked out. Several KSP posts have phone lines down and alternate numbers are being provided. These numbers are available at KentuckStatePolice.org and on KSP social media channels.

The Red Cross has one shelter open in Clay County after a tree fell on an apartment building and is currently sheltering six residents and is working to identify any additional needs.

High water, downed trees and other damage have been reported in about 45 counties, mainly in Western Kentucky.

Transportation crews, with assistance from forestry chainsaw teams, will continue to cut trees and clear debris as quickly as possible today to maintain access for emergency responders. Clearing roadways could take time, especially if it requires clearing power lines first.

Motorists should avoid travel, especially in heavily damaged areas, to keep themselves safe and give crews room to work. If you must travel, stay safe by buckling up, watching for debris still alongside highways, and never drive through high water – turn around don’t drown.

Gov. Beshear added, “Kentucky has been through so much, and we continue to remain grateful for our first responders and transportation employees who are working to keep all our families safe and clear roadways.” (more…)

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association filed a lawsuit on Thursday challenging the Environmental Protection Agency over its unlawful power plant rule.

“EPA’s power plant rule is unlawful, unreasonable and unachievable. It exceeds EPA’s authority and poses an immediate threat to the American electric grid,” NRECA CEO Jim Matheson said. “Under the rule, EPA illegally attempts to transform the US energy economy by forcing a shift in electricity generation to the agency’s favored sources.”

“Reliable electricity is the foundation of the American economy. EPA’s rule recklessly undermines that foundation by forcing the premature closure of power plants that are critical to keeping the lights on – especially as America increasingly relies on electricity to power the economy.”

Both NRECA and a coalition of 25 state attorneys general, including Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, filed suit against EPA in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

If allowed to take effect, the Biden Administration’s devastating energy rule would target existing coal plants and new natural gas plants with extreme emissions restrictions. The EPA’s crackdown would demand Kentucky’s coal-fired plants to take aggressive steps to curb emissions or force them to close. The government’s recommendations for cutting emissions rely on experimental and costly technologies that haven’t been proven to work.

“As member-owned cooperatives, we have a duty to fight for the Kentuckians at the end of the line who pay the price when bureaucrats carelessly inflict unrealistic and harmful regulations,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, an association representing all 26 co-ops in the commonwealth. “The EPA’s rule is an assault on the electric reliability Kentucky relies on to keep our communities safe, healthy and prosperous.”

Perry applauded Coleman and the other attorneys general across the United States who are also challenging the Biden Administration’s effort to shut down Kentucky’s coal and natural gas power plants.

“We are grateful for Attorney General Coleman and the coalition of attorneys general standing up for ratepayers in Kentucky and all across America,” Perry added.

As of 2022, coal and gas accounted for 95% of Kentucky’s electricity. The Biden Administration’s rush to take existing plants offline in favor of alternative energy sources undermines the reliability of Kentucky’s grid and could leave families and manufacturers without access to affordable electricity.

“Hope is not a strategy, especially when our jobs and our families are on the line,” said Attorney General Coleman. “Simply hoping that unproven technologies will be able to fuel Kentucky’s economy is irresponsible. The result of President Biden’s rule is clear: Kentucky families and job-creators will be cut off from affordable and reliable energy. We’re fighting this radical green agenda that would only leave Kentucky in the dark.”

Congratulations to Kentucky Derby 150 winning jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., a consumer-member of Shelby Energy, who delivered one of the most spine-tingling finishes in Derby history. Aboard the 18-1 shot Mystik Dan, Hernandez rode the rail and gamely held off the late charges of Sierra Leone and Forever Young in a head-bobbing result.

Hernandez and trainer Kenny McPeek combined to win their first Derby, one day after teaming up to win their first Kentucky Oaks on Friday with Thorpedo Anna.

“It still hasn’t sunk in, it’s so unbelievable. We came into the weekend thinking that we had a really big chance at winning both Friday and Saturday. For the horses to pull it off for us, we have to thank the guys back in the barn. It’s definitely a surreal moment,” Hernandez said.

So close was the margin in the $5 million Derby that it took several minutes for the order of finish to be posted, capping a dream weekend at Churchill Downs for connections.

“The last 20 years I’ve ridden in Kentucky, and as a young kid out of Louisiana, I had the chance of sitting in the same corner as Calvin Borel. Watching him ride all those Derbys all those years, and today with Mystik Dan, being in the 3 hole,” Hernandez said. “I watched a couple of his rides, with Super Saver and Mine That Bird, and I decided that we were going to roll the dice. That’s the nice thing about Kenny (McPeek), he lets me make those decisions. We had the right kind of horse to give him that kind of trip.”