Kentucky electric co-ops assisting after Ida

More than 160 personnel and contractors head to Louisiana More than 160 personnel and contractors from electric cooperatives in Kentucky are providing mutual aid to help restore power in Louisiana after Hurricane Ida. In addition to more than 40 employees from five electric cooperatives in…

Governor, co-ops partner to ‘Beautify the Bluegrass’

Initiative encourages Kentuckians to spruce up local communities with beautification projects Gov. Andy Beshear and Kentucky Electric Cooperatives are encouraging Kentuckians to “Beautify the Bluegrass” for the fifth straight year by improving public spaces across the commonwealth. “Over the past year, we’ve seen Kentuckians come…

“Co-ops Vote Aims for Voter Turnout Rebound

For the ninth straight year, Kentucky’s electric cooperatives are partnering with Kentucky’s secretary of state to boost voter registration and turnout. At the Kentucky State Capitol on Wednesday, nearly 100 high school students representing electric cooperatives across the commonwealth on the Frankfort Youth Tour joined Secretary…

Lineworker scholarships for associate degree

Electric cooperative lineworkers have a new pathway for a college degree in Kentucky. With support from Kentucky Electric Cooperatives and Kentuckians who purchase lineman-themed specialty license plates, the Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College System plans to incorporate lineworker training and education into a degree…

2024 WIRE Scholarships Available for Kentucky College Students

The Kentucky Chapter of Women in Rural Electrification (WIRE) is offering three $1,000 scholarships to Kentucky college students.  The scholarships are open to any applicant who meets the following criteria: • Student or Student’s family must be served by a Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative. • Student…

The historic start of the Electric Cooperative Caucus 

For the first time in the 87-year history of electric cooperatives in Kentucky, lawmakers in Frankfort have made the historic move to form the Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Caucus, advocating for the interests of local co-op consumer-members across the commonwealth.  “Electric cooperatives are a vital and…

Jim Gooch and Brandon Smith recognized for energy leadership

For their leadership on issues affecting the ability of electric cooperatives to deliver reliable electricity as efficiently as possible, two veteran lawmakers are the recipients of the 2023 Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Power Partner Award.  Sen. Brandon Smith, of Hazard, and Rep. Jim Gooch, of Providence, received…

Big Rivers names Don Gulley new CEO

Succeeds Bob Berry after nationwide search  After an extensive, nationwide search, the Big Rivers Electric Corporation board of directors has named Don Gulley as the organization’s next president and chief executive officer. Gulley has been president and CEO of Southern Illinois Power Cooperative (SIPC), a generation and…

‘Cleaning Up Kentucky’ Recognized as the 2023 Beautify the Bluegrass Governor’s Award Winner

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 29, 2023) – Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear and Chris Perry, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives President and CEO, presented the 2023 Beautify the Bluegrass Governor’s Award to Whitney Lewis of Cleaning Up Kentucky today. For the seventh year in a row, the Governor’s office, Kentucky’s…

$12M in broadband funds to Pennyrile Electric

The broadband expansion efforts in the Pennyrile Electric service territory are getting a $12 million boost from the Kentucky Broadband Deployment Fund. In 2021, the Kentucky General Assembly allocated $300 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to the fund for the construction of high-speed internet infrastructure…

Tim Farmer Honored as 2023 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian

Kentucky Co-ops Present Award at 77th Annual Meeting that Emphasized Grid Reliability Kentucky Electric Cooperatives recognized outdoorsman and television host Tim Farmer as its 2023 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian during the co-op association’s 77th Annual Meeting in Louisville. As the host of “Kentucky Afield” for 20…

Eight million transformers | UUS cheers ERMCO

Kentucky-based United Utility Supply Cooperative (UUS) is congratulating its sister cooperative and strategic partner ERMCO, Inc. upon the manufacture of its eight-millionth transformer since the company was founded in 1972. At a ceremony at ERMCO's Dyersburg, Tennessee plant on June 29, ERMCO President and CEO…