East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) today filed a request with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) to construct an 8.5-megawatt solar project in Clark County, Ky.

If approved, the cooperative solar installation will be located next to EKPC’s headquarters facilities, adjacent to Interstate 64 and U.S. 60, about two miles east of Fayette County. With more than 32,000 photovoltaic panels covering 60 acres of land, the installation would be one of Kentucky’s largest solar farms.

“This project fits well with EKPC’s strategic goal to diversify our generation portfolio while addressing the desire among some co – op members for renewable alternatives and also providing a valuable carbon-free source of energy,” said Anthony “Tony” Camp bell, EKPC’s President & CEO.

The project is proposed as a cooperative solar arrangement, whereby retail members of participating electric distribution cooperatives can purchase a license for a portion of the solar project’s gene rating capacity. Then, the y would receive credits on their monthly electric bill for the value of the energy from their proportional licensed share. Licenses will be valid for 25 years.

“Retail members of our owner-member co-ops will be able to voluntarily participate in a renewable energy program that is competitive with rooftop solar ,” said David Crews, Sr. Vice President of Power Supply.

The cooperative solar arrangement also provide s an opportunity to participate in renewable generation for co-op members whose premises are not conducive to solar panels, such as apartments or heavily shaded areas. Participants also will benefit from the project’s economies of scale.

In 2013, a collaborative group of stakeholders focusing on renewable and demand-side management issues recommended EKPC establish a solar project with participation of retail members.

Meanwhile, the federal Clean Power Plan, which is being challenged in court, mandates dramatic reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from electric utilities.

The estimated cost of the solar installation is $17.7 million. EKPC plans to finance the project by issuing New Clean Renewable Energy Bonds to take advantage of federal incentives that can offset much of the interest expense.

For more information visit EKPC at www.ekpc.coop.
East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Winchester, is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative providing wholesale electricity to 16 owner-member distribution cooperatives that serve 530,000 Kentucky homes, farms, businesses and industries across 87 counties. EKPC provides power through coal-fueled plants located in Mason and Pulaski counties; natural gas-fueled peaking units in Clark and Oldham counties; renewable energy plants in Barren, Boone, Laurel, Greenup, Hardin and Pendleton counties; and nearly 2,800 miles of transmission lines. Together, EKPC and its 16 owner-member cooperatives are known as Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives.

Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin has appointed Jackson Energy President & CEO Carol Wright to serve on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education.

The 16-member board coordinates postsecondary and adult education in the state.

The council is composed of 13 citizen members, one student and one faculty member, all appointed by the governor. The additional member, the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education, serves as a non-voting member.

Wright has been appointed for a term expiring in December 2021. She has served as president and chief executive officer of Jackson Energy Cooperative since 2013, and has more than 26 years of experience in the electric utility industry.

Wright is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. She also earned a master’s degree in business administration from Sullivan University.

Wright served on the committee to establish the Lineman’s Training Program at Somerset Community College and also served as chairman of the Lineman Training Program board.

“I am honored to be selected to serve on the Council,” Wright said, “and look forward to working to improve educational opportunities in Kentucky.”

The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) announced that former U.S. Rep. Jim Matheson has been selected to serve as NRECA’s 6th chief executive officer. Matheson will succeed Jo Ann Emerson, who was stricken by a severe illness in August of last year. He will join the association and assume his duties as CEO in July.

“On behalf of our board of directors, we are extremely excited to have Jim join NRECA,” said NRECA President Mel Coleman. “Jim will bring to the position a broad knowledge of the issues facing rural America and will be an inspirational leader for America’s Electric Cooperatives.”

Matheson currently serves as principal, public policy practice for Squire Patton Boggs, a large well-respected international law firm based in Washington, D.C. During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, from 2001 to 2015, he served as a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee. The respect Matheson has on both sides of the aisle, and his ability to bridge political and policy divides to find common ground, will serve NRECA and all member cooperatives very well.

“I am excited by the opportunity to lead NRECA and to continue to build on its remarkable record of service to its members,” Matheson said. “I am honored to be associated with this member-driven organization that has a strong reputation for quality and integrity.  I look forward to working collaboratively with all of the cooperative community as we look to the future.”

In addition to his extensive background in Congress and public policy, Matheson worked in the energy industry for several years. He was a project development manager in the independent power industry. He worked at two consulting companies, including his own firm, providing services to large energy consumers.

Jim was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended public schools in Salt Lake City, received a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Harvard University, and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from UCLA.

From a press release from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association—the national service organization that represents the nation’s more than 900 private, not-for-profit, consumer-owned electric cooperatives, which provide service to 42 million people in 47 states.

During today’s annual meeting, the leaders of East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) marked the co-op’s 75th year of improving the lives of Kentuckians by providing safe, affordable, reliable electricity.

“Our founding principles still guide us to work together to improve lives,” said Anthony “Tony” Campbell, EKPC’s president and CEO. “By being faithful to our mission and by looking for opportunities, we have a bright future ahead.”

Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin was the featured speaker during the event at the co-op’s headquarters in Winchester.

“So often we take for granted simple luxuries like flipping on a light switch,” said Gov. Bevin. “So many great efforts are made every day behind the scenes by hard-working Kentuckians. I want to thank all the electric cooperatives for everything they do to provide reliable affordable electricity for rural Kentucky.”

Paul Hawkins, EKPC’s board chairman, noted EKPC has faced critical challenges in the past decade. But, he said, the co-op’s leaders have worked hard over the past five years to improve the overall health of the organization.

“Together with our CEO, executive staff and employees, we applied patience and old-fashioned elbow grease to restore EKPC as one of the biggest and strongest generation and transmission cooperatives in America,” he said.

Campbell noted several key milestones from the past year, including the purchase of Bluegrass Generating Station in Oldham County and the successful achievement of 15 percent equity-to-assets ratio, which was a key objective of the co-op’s strategic plan since 2011.

In the past year, Standard & Poor’s Rating Service affirmed EKPC’s credit rating of A- with a stable outlook, while Fitch Ratings affirmed a BBB+ rating with a positive outlook.

On the horizon, federal regulations pose a challenge, as coal-dependent generators like EKPC comply with rules to limit carbon dioxide emissions and more-tightly regulate coal ash disposal and water impacts.

Meanwhile, the co-op is preparing to request regulatory approvals to establish a utility-scale solar generating plant.

“Be assured, we will find the path that results in the least cost and most reliable service to our members,” Campbell said.

Hawkins, who is stepping down as board chairman, was honored for his work during the five years he has served in the role.

Joe Spalding, who represents Inter-County Energy, was elected today by the board to serve as EKPC’s board chairman for the next year.

East Kentucky Power Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative providing wholesale electricity to 16 owner-member distribution cooperatives that serve 530,000 Kentucky homes, farms, businesses and industries across 87 counties. EKPC provides power through coal-fueled plants located in Mason and Pulaski counties; natural gas-fueled peaking units in Clark and Oldham counties; renewable energy plants in Barren, Boone, Laurel, Greenup, Hardin and Pendleton counties; and more than 2,800 miles of transmission lines. Together, EKPC and its 16 owner-member cooperatives are known as Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives. Visit EKPC at www.ekpc.coop.

If there’s natural gas right outside your front door, why not use it to generate electricity? That’s exactly what one Kentucky electric cooperative is planning to do.

Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives are partnering with the American Red Cross to improve emergency response services in Kentucky. The cooperatives have joined together to acquire a new disaster relief vehicle, trailer and resources that can be deployed to provide aid.

“Thanks to the support and partnership of Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives, the Red Cross can continue to respond to disasters with the generous contribution of a vehicle and trailer, which can hold essential supplies. Their support ensures we continue to help families and individuals with the immediate emergency needs one may have and help them on their road to recovery,” said Jennifer Adrio, Red Cross Kentucky Region CEO.

The new trailer and emergency vehicle are branded with the Touchstone Energy logo to commemorate the partnership with the Red Cross. The partnership has also helped to stock the trailer with emergency supplies.

The new equipment provided by Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives improves the Red Cross’s ability to render aid to those needing emergency assistance, including the state’s 1.5 million people (about 35 percent of the state’s population) served by electric cooperatives.

Kentucky’s electric cooperatives always take every precaution to prepare their systems for natural disasters and this new Red Cross vehicle will supplement what Kentucky’s co-op response teams do when help is needed the most.

The equipment is being added to the Red Cross’s fleet of emergency response vehicles. It will be housed in Lexington, but it can be called out to respond to disasters in any area of the state.

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters such as floods, tornados and winter storms. The Kentucky Region of the American Red Cross serves 119 counties through five regional chapters.

Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives encourage folks to take advantage of Red Cross emergency preparedness information before disasters strike. Find information in the Emergency Resource Library at www.redcross.org under Get Help. The Red Cross also offers several mobile apps to keep you safe during an emergency.

The co-op sponsorship will also help support the American Red Cross Blood Bus Campaign to upgrade the organization’s fleet of bloodmobiles.

Frankfort, Ky. – Hoping to power a surge in civic engagement in the areas they serve, Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives announced their Co-ops Vote campaign on Wednesday, April 27.

Voter participation in rural areas trails the national average. In the 2012 national elections, voter turnout dropped overall, but the decline in rural counties was 18 percent—twice that of the nation as a whole.

At a state capitol event, Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes endorsed the non-partisan effort, joining electric co-op leaders and Frankfort Youth Tour high school students who represent all of Kentucky’s 26 member-owned electric cooperatives.

“We appreciate Secretary Grimes lending her voice and commitment to civic engagement to the Co-ops Vote campaign,” said Chris Perry, president and CEO of KAEC. “We hope Co-ops Vote furthers her considerable efforts to protect the right to vote, improve ballot access and encourage Kentuckians to show up on Election Day.”

“As a Commonwealth, we have work to do to increase voter turnout in all of our elections – especially in rural Kentucky where turnout is below the state average in almost every cycle,” said Grimes. “I appreciate our electric cooperatives working hard to urge citizens in rural areas to vote in this important election year. I am excited to be a partner in their efforts as we continue to work to get more Kentuckians to the polls.”

The Kentucky effort is part of a nationwide initiative by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA). Co-ops Vote will educate and engage voters, supplying information on voter registration, candidates and electric co-op priorities, such as ensuring continued access to reliable electricity, promoting co-ops’ development of innovative renewable energy solutions, and expanding broadband coverage throughout rural America.

For more information, visit www.kaec.org, www.vote.coop and follow #CoopsVote.

Kentucky’s statewide voter turnout in the 2015 general election was 30.6 percent. Sixty-six of Kentucky’s 120 counties failed to reach 30 percent voter turnout, mostly in rural areas. In fact, three rural Kentucky counties failed to reach even 20 percent voter turnout.
Grimes recently launched GoVoteKY.com, an online portal which includes online voter registration and voter resources, including sample ballots. More than 22,000 Kentuckians used the new portal to register to vote or update their registration before the April 18 deadline.

The Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives (KAEC) is committed to improving the quality of life for member electric cooperatives that in turn provide Kentuckians a high level of electrical service at the lowest possible price through a local, consumer-owned form of business. Kentucky electric cooperatives serve more than 1.5 million people (about 35 percent of the state’s population) in 117 of Kentucky’s 120 counties.

Kentucky Labor Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey announced today that the 100 employees of Big Rivers Electric–Wilson Station have earned a Governor’s Safety and Health Award for their 1.7 million hours of work without a lost time injury.  Deputy Secretary Mike Nemes visited the facility today to congratulate employees on behalf of Sec. Ramsey.

“The hardworking men and women of the Wilson Station have gone nearly nine years without a serious injury on the job,” Sec. Ramsey said of the Wilson Station’s 14th award of this kind.  “This coal-fired facility has generated over 29 million megawatt-hours during this same time period and it is only fitting that they are recognized for their efforts.  On behalf of Governor Bevin and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, I’m proud to help them celebrate not only their hard work and dedication toward a safe workplace, but for all that they do to power the homes and businesses of Kentucky.”

Sen. Dorsey Ridley (D-Henderson) also offered his praise.

“I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to the employees at the Wilson Station,” Sen. Ridley said. “Their hard work, dedication and commitment to safety allowed the company to achieve this milestone, and they should all take pride in receiving this award.”

Based in Henderson, Ky., Big Rivers Electric Corporation is comprised of three cooperatives: Jackson Purchase Energy, Kenergy Corporation, and Meade County RECC.  Together, they serve 114,000 members over 22 counties, including: Carlisle, Ballard, McCracken, Graves, Marshall, Livingston, Lyon, Crittenden, Caldwell, Union, Webster, Hopkins, Henderson, McLean, Muhlenberg, Daviess, Ohio, Hancock, Breckinridge, Grayson, Meade, and Hardin counties.

“The safety and health of our employees is the top priority in everything we do at Big Rivers,” said Bob Berry, President of Big Rivers Electric Corporation.  “This distinguished award reflects the hard work and dedication of the Wilson Station employees and I applaud the leadership of IBEW Local 1701, as well as the employees and management who contributed to this remarkable achievement.”

“Working over 1.7 million man hours without a lost time incident is an incredible achievement for the Wilson Station employees,” Wilson Station plant manager Keith Scott said. “This celebration marks a milestone accomplishment that is part of a journey that dates back to 2007.  This journey is not over today, as there will be more important safety milestones to come.  I am very proud of this accomplishment and I am equally as proud of the employees who achieved it.”

The Kentucky Labor Cabinet presents the Governor’s Safety and Health Award to highlight outstanding safety and health performance in Kentucky’s workplaces.  A business may qualify for the award if its employees achieve a required number of hours worked without experiencing a lost time injury or illness. The required number of hours is dependent upon the number of employees.  The Wilson Station employees have worked 3,207 days injury free.  Overall, this is the Big Rivers Electric Corporation’s 40th Governor’s Safety and Health Award.

from the Kentucky Labor Cabinet

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Mar. 10, 2016) – Kentucky Labor Cabinet Deputy Secretary Mike Nemes was on hand March 10 at Pennyrile Electric to present a Governor’s Safety and Health Award for their exemplary commitment to workplace safety.

In recognition of Pennyrile Electric’s fifth award of this kind, Labor Cabinet Secretary Derrick Ramsey congratulated them on their achievement.

“The 113 employees of Pennyrile Electric work together every day to maintain over 5,000 miles of powerlines across nine counties,” Secretary Ramsey said.  “This kind of workload combined with their long safety record makes what they do even more impressive.  On behalf of Governor Bevin and the Kentucky Labor Cabinet, I’m proud to acknowledge their hard work and dedication toward a safe workplace.”

Based in Hopkinsville, Ky., Pennyrile Electric is a part of Touchstone Energy Cooperatives that services 47,000 customers in Christian, Trigg, Logan, Todd, Muhlenberg, Lyon, Caldwell, Butler and Simpson Counties.

“Receiving this award is a celebration of a safe environment for our employees, and we strive to make it better each day,” Pennyrile Electric President and CEO Greg Grissom said.  “We could not achieve this without each and every employee’s hard work. The employees deserve this prominent recognition and we are very proud of all of the accomplishments our employees have attained in safety.”

The Kentucky Labor Cabinet presents the Governor’s Safety and Health Award to highlight outstanding safety and health performance in Kentucky’s workplaces.  A business may qualify for the award if its employees achieve a required number of hours worked without experiencing a lost time injury or illness. The required number of hours is dependent upon the number of employees.  Pennyrile Electric employees have worked 223 days injury free and approximately 310,000 hours without a lost time accident.

— Kentucky Labor Cabinet