Latest news with #LouisvilleGasandElectric
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump administration terminates award for Kentucky carbon capture project
The sign outside one of the corporate offices for utility Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Liam Niemeyer) A federal award funding a collaboration between Kentucky's largest utility, the University of Kentucky and other partners to implement a new system capturing greenhouse gas emissions is among two dozen energy-related awards the Trump administration terminated last week. The $72 million award terminated by the U.S. Department of Energy funded the testing of a carbon capture system on a natural gas-fired turbine operated by electric utility Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities at its Cane Run Generating Station in Jefferson County. Carbon capture refers to technologies that seek to reduce climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels by capturing and storing carbon dioxide before it's released into the atmosphere. The utility described the project last year as an 'important step in assessing the future viability' of carbon capture technology for natural gas-fired power plants. LG&E and KU, which serves more than 1 million customers in the state, would have captured a portion of carbon dioxide emissions to be potentially reused by a nearby manufacturer, according to a press release. Liz Pratt, a LG&E and KU spokesperson, in a statement said the utility was 'disappointed' the award was terminated but remained 'focused on driving innovation and important research and development in this space.' 'Together with our project partners, we will review our options for advancing this important research project,' Pratt said. Among the other awards terminated Friday by the DOE included a number of other carbon capture and storage projects and a project by multinational alcoholic beverage company Diageo that sought to add batteries to decarbonize production facilities including in Shelbyville, Kentucky. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright in a Friday statement said canceling the approximately $3.7 billion in total awards was 'in the best interest' of Americans. 'While the previous administration failed to conduct a thorough financial review before signing away billions of taxpayer dollars, the Trump administration is doing our due diligence to ensure we are utilizing taxpayer dollars to strengthen our national security, bolster affordable, reliable energy sources and advance projects that generate the highest possible return on investment,' Wright said in a statement. Investment into carbon capture systems played a large role in the energy policy of the former Biden administration, which sought to require utilities with coal-fired power plants operating past 2039 to capture 90% of carbon dioxide emissions from the plants or have those plants retire by 2032. That carbon capture requirement also applied to new natural gas-fired power plants. The Trump administration has swiftly reversed course, reportedly planning to eliminate any caps on greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired and natural gas-fired power plants. Supporters of carbon capture technologies generally say it's necessary in transitioning to clean energy and addressing industries that are hard to decarbonize, while skeptics, including environmentalists, question whether the technologies will allow for the further burning of fossil fuels. Byron Gary, an attorney with the environmental legal organization Kentucky Resources Council, told the Lantern the award termination fits into the Trump administration's 'broader strategy' of 'trying to undermine climate regulation.' E&E News reported Friday that the Trump administration is expected to argue the U.S. power sector, a major contributor of greenhouse gas emissions, doesn't contribute 'significantly' to climate change. Gary said while his organization would rather see investment into zero-emission renewable energy paired with utility-scale batteries, the award terminations appear to ensure carbon capture technology isn't a 'viable option' for the future.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kentucky power providers to propose first rate increase since 2020: What we know
KENTUCKY (FOX 56) — Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) customers could owe over $100 more a year based on a new proposal. The electricity providers announced on Thursday, May 15, that leaders plan to file the request to increase rates on May 30. This will be the first rate hike since November 2020. If approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission, the increases would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Officials wrote that residential rates for LG&E and KU would remain below the national average even with the proposed increase. FEMA officials ask Kentucky residents to watch for fraud and scams following April storms Police 'unit' involved in crash closing Man O War at rush hour 6 years of the lottery pays off for Nelson County woman: 'It saved the day' 'We understand that increasing customer bills is impactful and not a decision we take lightly. Our employees, who are also our customers, work hard to operate and maintain our systems to be among the best in the nation, and we have held true to our commitment to not increase rates for the last five years. Even now, our request is significantly less than the rate of inflation,' said Crockett. 'However, we're at a tipping point in which the foundational portions of our system—poles, wires, substations, and technology—are reaching the end of their useful lives.' If approved, officials said KU residential customers using an average of 1,085 kilowatt hours per month would see an increase of $18.14 monthly in their electric bill. L G&E residential electric customers using an average of 866 kilowatt hours per month would see an increase in their total monthly bill of $11.04, and LG&E natural gas customers using an average of 52 centum cubic feet would see an increase of $11.12 in their monthly bill. Here's a look at the additional cost annually: KU residential customers using an average of 1,085 kWh per month: $217.68 per year LG&E residential electric customers using an average of 866 kWh per month: $132.48 per year LG&E residential natural gas customers using an average of 52 Ccf per month: $133.44 per year Residents raise concerns about new Kroger construction project on Winchester Road The providers said it's to ensure that utility infrastructure can withstand severe storms, wildfires, and tornadoes while still providing affordable power to customers. In a news release, leaders with Louisville Gas and Electric (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities (KU) said that in 2025 alone, Kentucky was hit by up to three-quarters of an inch of ice, 2 feet of snow, extreme cold, more than 30 reported tornadoes, and historic flooding from both the Ohio and Kentucky rivers. 'Increasingly, scientists—including at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—are noting the extreme weather pattern of 'Tornado Alley' is expanding eastward,' LG&E and KU officials wrote. FEMA officials ask Kentucky residents to watch for fraud and scams following April storms Miniscule number of migrants smuggle drugs, survey of CBP data shows Kentucky weather tomorrow: Significant severe weather possible Police 'unit' involved in crash closing Man O War at rush hour 6 years of the lottery pays off for Nelson County woman: 'It saved the day' The increased risk of severe weather has reportedly prompted enhancements from infrastructure upgrades to advanced meter technology to improving the billing experience and protecting customers from cyber threats. 'We continually evaluate how to best serve our customers and ensure that we are providing safe, reliable, affordable energy with award-winning customer service,' said John R. Crockett, LG&E and KU president. 'Our system enhancement plans will help us defend against Mother Nature and improve service for our customers.' According to a news release, the utility providers have programs to help customers manage their energy use in the event that a proposed increase gets approved. Officials also said in a news release that adjustments were also proposed to help lessen the impact on customers who need to pay their bill with cash by asking to waive the current $1.95 transaction fee tied to cash payments at third-party locations. More information about assistance programs can be found at the LG&E and KU website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
