Kentucky.gov

Below you will find a list of recent press releases.  Click on the title to view the full text of the press release.

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• PSC OPENS CASE ON 2007 FEDERAL ENERGY ACT CHANGES - Kentucky to consider energy efficiency and “smart grid” standards
  Thursday, November 13, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) today initiated its consideration of new electric energy and natural gas provisions of the federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007). “This proceeding entails a wide-ranging look at how Kentucky’s electric and natural gas utilities plan for the future, set priorities and address the critical issue of energy efficiency,” PSC Chairman David Armstrong said. “We intend to take a comprehensive look at how the implementation of these proposed standards would affect our state’s utilities and their ratepayers.”
• PSC ORDER ADVANCES CARBON STORAGE RESEARCH - Utilities will contribute to development efforts
  Thursday, October 30, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has encouraged Kentucky’s investor-owned electric utilities to contribute to projects to develop technology to capture and store carbon dioxide emissions from coal-burning electric plants.
• NATURAL GAS PRICES TO AGAIN BE HIGHER THIS WINTER - Consumers urged to prepare for heating season
  Wednesday, October 29, 2008
  Kentuckians will pay more for natural gas in the coming months than they did a year ago, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) says. On average, Kentucky customers can expect to pay about 17 percent more this year than last for the same quantity of natural gas. That is in line with national averages.
• PSC TO GIVE ANNUAL UPDATE ON NATURAL GAS PRICES - Oct. 29 event will be broadcast live on the Web
  Friday, October 24, 2008
  Natural gas prices during the 2008-2009 heating season will be discussed during an Oct. 29, 2008, news briefing at the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC).
• PSC APPROVES ENERGY CONSERVATION PROGRAM FOR EAST KENTUCKY POWER COOPERATIVE - Program cuts usage from air conditioners and water heaters
  Thursday, October 02, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a proposal by East Kentucky Power Cooperative Inc. (EKPC) to cut peak power usage from residential air conditioners and water heaters. Under the program, customers would allow the utility to remotely control their central air conditioners and water heaters in order to turn them off for short periods when demand for electricity is at a peak. In return, customers who participate in the voluntary program will receive credits on their bills.
• PSC APPROVES EAST KENTUCKY POWER ENVIRONMENTAL COSTS - Projects needed to comply with federal air quality mandate
  Monday, September 29, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) today allowed East Kentucky Power Cooperative Inc. (EKPC) to increase the amount it charges its customers to pay for environmental projects required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• SHELBY ENERGY PAYS $15,000 FINE FOR SAFETY VIOLATIONS - Settlement with PSC covers fatal accident involving contractor
  Monday, September 29, 2008
  Shelby Energy Cooperative Inc., will pay a $15,000 fine to settle charges stemming from a contractor’s repeated violations of safety regulations, several of which contributed to a fatal accident on Nov. 12, 2007.
• PSC APPROVES DUKE ENERGY PLAN TO HELP MORE LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS - Program will aid those not eligible for other assistance
  Thursday, September 25, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a proposal by Duke Energy Kentucky, Inc. to provide additional assistance to its customers who have trouble paying their winter energy bills.
• PREPARE FOR POWER RESTORATION, PSC SAYS - Check electric connections, meters – be careful with generators
  Monday, September 15, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission is urging residents affected by Sunday’s wind storm to check electric connections and meters for damage. Damaged connections or meters must be repaired before power can be restored to a home or business.
• PSC APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN BLUE GRASS ENERGY RATE CASE - Rates now equal over entire service area
  Thursday, August 28, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has accepted a settlement that permits Blue Grass Energy Cooperative Corp. to raise its rates in order to increase its annual revenue by $7.4 million, or about 8.5 percent. All Blue Grass Energy customers now will be charged the same rates, regardless of where they live
• PSC CHAIRMAN ARMSTRONG SAYS COOPERATION NEEDED ON WATER AND WASTEWATER ISSUES
  Thursday, August 28, 2008
  Water and wastewater utilities must work together to address the challenges posed by increased demand for services and aging infrastructure, Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) Chairman David Armstrong said this week.
• PSC APPROVES KENTUCKY POWER’S GREEN ENERGY PROGRAM - Utility will sell renewable energy certificates
  Tuesday, August 26, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved a program that will allow Kentucky Power Co. customers to support the use of renewable energy sources by voluntarily paying a little extra on their electric bills.
• PSC WARNS OF RISING HEATING COSTS - Urges customers to prepare for higher natural gas prices
  Tuesday, August 05, 2008
  Heating homes and businesses this winter is likely to cost more as a result of higher energy prices, particularly for natural gas, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) says.
• NEW PROTECTION FOR BURIED UTILITY LINES TAKES EFFECT - PSC sees stronger enforcement of call-before-you-dig requirement
  Monday, July 14, 2008
  A state law that takes effect tomorrow can help reduce accidents or outages caused by someone digging into a buried utility line, the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) says.
• PSC ISSUES REPORT ON ELECTRIC REGULATORY POLICY - Study required by Kentucky’s 2007 Energy Act
  Wednesday, July 02, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has completed a legislatively mandated study of how Kentucky’s regulation of electric utilities intersects with state energy policy.
• PSC APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN JACKSON PURCHASE ENERGY RATE CASE - Rural cooperative receives less than requested increase
  Tuesday, June 17, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has accepted a settlement that permits Jackson Purchase Energy Corp. to raise its rates in order to increase its annual revenue by $3.38 million, or about 9 percent.
• PSC APPROVES SETTLEMENT IN JACKSON ENERGY RATE CASE -Rural cooperative receives requested increase
  Thursday, June 05, 2008
  The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has accepted a settlement that permits Jackson Energy Cooperative Corp. to raise its rates in order to increase its annual revenue by $6.23 million, or about 9 percent.