On November 20, 2008, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear released
“Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future,” a comprehensive
energy plan for the state including seven strategies for managing
energy production and consumption. Among the proposed strategies, a
Renewable and Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) would require that
25 percent of Kentucky’s total energy needs by 2025 are met through a
combination of energy efficiency and conservation measures, new
renewable electricity generation, and an Alternative Transportation
Fuel Standard (ATFS) to increase the use of biofuels and other
petroleum substitutes. Under the REPS, efficiency and conservation
would reduce energy use by 18 percent from their projected levels, and
renewable electricity generation would increase by 1,000 megawatts. The
ATFS sets a goal of meeting 12 percent of motor fuels demand with
biofuels. Coal-based energy sources retain a central role in Kentucky’s
energy strategy; the plan includes extensive efforts for research,
development, and deployment of carbon capture and sequestration,
coal-to-liquids and coal-to-gas technology.
According to the
energy plan, full implementation of the strategies would reduce
greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2025 and
generate 30,000 to 40,000 new jobs in the clean energy sector.
Press Release
Energy Plan
Climate Action Plans
