The Kentucky Student Environmental Coalition is touring the Commonwealth to promote passage of proposed state House Bill 229, also known as the Clean Energy Opportunity Act. KSEC representatives, along with State Senator Reggie Thomas, met Thursday at Murray State University with representatives from the Tennessee Valley Authority and members of the region’s renewable energy industry.
The proposed legislation requires Kentucky’s regulated utilities to increase investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency over the next decade. North Carolina passed a similar law in 2007, and saw creation of some 37,000 clean energy jobs. KSEC state organizer Cara Cooper cites a study from the Massachusetts-based research and consulting firm Synapse Energy Economics showing that Kentucky could benefit in a similar way. “A net of 28 thousand new jobs in that ten year period. And that’s a net, including people losing jobs and coming on board,” said Cooper
Sen. Reggie Thomas, a Democrat from Lexington, is considering sponsoring the bill in his chamber. He says he can’t see why Kentucky can’t adopt what he calls an “all-or-nothing” approach. “Speaker Stumbo said that he thinks it’s foolish for America’s energy policy doesn’t include coal. I agree with Speaker Stumbo on that. I think he’s right. But I think, on the same tone, I think it’s foolish here in Kentucky not include renewable energy,” said Thomas
KSEC’s one day tour stop in Murray also included presentations from regional solar companies, and window manufacturer, Pella.
