Beshear Announces New Energy Plan

By Kentucky Public Radio

Frankfort, KY – Governor Beshear says five of the seven states surrounding Kentucky have nuclear power plants and it's time the commonwealth followed suit. He's not yet ready to ask lawmakers to lift the ban on nuclear power, but he's beginning the dialogue. "I want to hear from the public and get their thoughts on that. But that obviously is one of the things that we will need to address if we decide if we want to move forward with the possible development of nuclear facilities in the state."

The 144-page energy plan also would increase the use of renewable energy; continue development of bio-fuels; develop a coal-to-liquids industry in the state; increase coal-to-gas efforts and initiate carbon sequestration projects for coal-generated electricity. The plan calls for a 20-percent reduction in the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.