This week Governor Steve Beshear released his energy plan for Kentucky’s future, claiming it was a first for the Commonwealth. But that’s just not true. His plan isn’t a first.
Kentucky has disgraced former Governor Ernie Fletcher to thank for the first energy plan (Warning: Huge PDF file, 2megs). Granted, it was nothing but a hacked together bird cage liner created by everyone from the Kentucky Coal Council to Columbia Gas.
On the positive side, Beshear’s plan is definitely the first to do anything positive on the energy and environmental front– regardless of how minimal those positives may be.
It’s just important to note that Ernies plan did, indeed, come before Steve Beshear’s. We need to stop this revisionist history roll we’ve been on here in Kentucky. It’s important to recognize reality even when it’s inconvenient.
1 response so far ↓
1 Ed Marksberry // Nov 22, 2008 at 9:00 am
Governor Beshear’s energy plan roll out is definitely a huge step in the right direction. I especially liked the building of more energy efficient homes which is a quicker route to reduce energy consumption. I find little to scrutinize with the exception of renewable energy.
The plan incorrectly states the set backs of solar and hydro electric. The report on the cost of installing solar can be done more cheaper. The research I have, would average $20,000 not $50,000 to build an average home with solar power. Our legislatures should also push forward a “true net metering” bill. The quote on Germany’s use of solar power compared to our Commonwealth’s is an example of the possibilities and challenges we can overcome.
On hydro electricity, I have brought up the idea of Hydrokinetic energy to the energy cabinet and was surprised they didn’t know about it. Hydrokinetic or free flow hydro generation is the extraction of energy from moving water without requiring the construction of new dams or diversions.
Over all the energy plan is a must read for everyone in the Commonwealth because we are all in this together.
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