Yearly Archives: 2015

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has affirmed its earlier approval of combustion waste landfills at power plants operated by the state’s two largest electric utilities, despite sharp increases in the cost of the facilities.

The Energy and Power Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (KY-01), today held a hearing examining the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) current role in regulating electricity markets, their timeliness as it relates to licensing LNG export facilities, interstate gas pipelines, and non-federal hydropower projects.

Governor Steve Beshear today ceremonially presented more than $1.5 million in state funding to support Paducah’s Riverfront Redevelopment Project, which aims to transform the community’s Ohio River shoreline

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor today regarding the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act:

The House of Representatives today passed H.R. 1210, the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act introduced by Congressman Andy Barr (KY-6) in a bipartisan vote of 255 to 174.  The bill promotes affordable home financing and discourages the practice of securitizing and selling of mortgages that led to the 2008 financial crisis and the resulting taxpayer bailouts of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and large systemically important financial institutions

An E-ZPass transponder, which will cost about $15, is one of two transponder options for future users of the Louisville-Southern Indiana Ohio River Bridges. The other option is a decal-sticker “local” transponder that can be obtained at no cost but will work only on the local crossings.

A Resolution of the State Property and Buildings Commission of the Commonwealth of Kentucky approving the application of the Secretary of the Cabinet for Economic Development to identify and specify certain economic development projects to be financed from the proceeds of Economic Development Revenue Bonds to be issued by the Commission to make a Grant to the City of Morgantown for the benefit of ARC Automotive, Inc. (ARC) for $325,000. Resolution 2015-28

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, fosters environments for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. The arts council, along with the NEA, is celebrating 50 years of service in 2015, which the arts council is recognizing as the Year of the Arts in Kentucky

Speaking from the deck of the new Interstate 65 bridge in downtown Louisville, Gov. Steve Beshear announced today the bridge will open to two-way traffic ahead of schedule

U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) released the following statement after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit ordered a nationwide stay on a rule drafted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers redefining "Waters of the United States," also known as WOTUS. The federal court in Ohio put the rule on hold in an effort to streamline a decision on its legality, pending litigation in multiple courts across the country.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor in support of the Energy and Water Appropriations bill: “Ask most Americans to name two of the most basic duties of a Senator, and you’re likely to hear some combination of the following.

In June 2015, Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC), Kentucky’s housing finance agency, and Lieutenant Governor Crit Luallen announced a special financing program (Program) to provide one percent, 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage loans for qualifying residents in the 54-county Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR). The Program had two main goals: 1) to increase economic development and create jobs in the Appalachian region by stimulating housing growth; and 2) to make home buying more affordable for more residents in the SOAR.

The Energy and Power Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), today held a hearing examining the administration’s cap and trade rules. On August 3, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued two final rules and a third proposed rule to regulate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from new and existing fossil fuel-fired power plants. These regulations are expected to change the way we generate, distribute, and consume electricity here in the United States and are a threat to ratepayers across the country and to grid reliability.

The community of Jamestown is an official “Trail Town” thanks to its connections to water and land recreation, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Bob Stewart announced today. “With Lake Cumberland, the Cumberland River and a beautiful state resort park all nearby, Jamestown is an ideal place for a Trail Town,” Stewart said.

Governor Steve Beshear today joined Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and other local leaders for a ceremony to help open the Jim Beam Urban Stillhouse in downtown Louisville – the latest bourbon-themed attraction in the state’s largest city