This bill will...

Curb energy costs for our families, farms, and businesses

Kentucky’s electricity rates have risen 41% over the last five years and are projected to continue rising, even if we do nothing to change our current fuel sources. This legislation won’t raise our electric bills. Over the next decade, it will keep bills the same or lower and decrease our future risk.

Use our resources and know-how to put people to work and get our economy back on track

Clean energy is one of Kentucky’s fastest growing job markets, employing thousands of people right now across the state. Workers are making Kentucky’s homes more efficient and over 100 schools have received clean energy upgrades. Many clean energy businesses have also located in Kentucky, including a solar panel manufacturing plant. This bill will capitalize on our economic potential and create 26,000 homegrown clean energy jobs.

Improve our health and well-being

Local electric co-ops in Eastern Kentucky are improving Kentuckians’ homes to help them save energy, money and enjoy a better quality of life through a program called How$mart. The costs associated with the upgrades are paid back from a portion of the monthly energy savings. Joyce Mullins, a retiree living on a fixed income in McKee, is putting money in her pocket every month as a result. She says “My house is now a comfortable place to live.” This bill will bring these win-win programs to utility customers all across the state! 

The bill doesn’t cost the state any tax revenue!

Clean Energy Opportunity Act components

A renewable and efficiency portfolio standard (REPS) requires electric utilities to meet specified energy savings and renewable energy goals 

2022 Energy Savings Goal: 
10.25% of annual cumulative retail sales will be achieved through consumer demand reduction programs, with a portion of savings achieved directly from efficiency improvements in low-income households.

2022 Renewable Energy Goal: 
12.5% of retail sales will be provided from renewable sources - solar, geothermal, wind, low-impact biomass, hydro-power, landfill gas, anaerobic digestion and the renewable portion of co-generation – with a specified portion achieved by solar energy only. 

Feed-in tariffs (FITs) establish payment rates that utilities pay in-state renewable energy producers. FITs will rapidly accelerate the development of large and small-scale renewable energy projects

With FITs in place, Kentucky’s renewable energy project developers are assured in advance that utility companies will purchase their power at set rates and for a set amount of time. They help utilities meet their renewable energy production goals and create more stability in the energy supply.

The KY Public Service Commission will establish FITs rates at amounts equal to the cost of renewable electricity production plus a reasonable rate of return. As energy production costs decrease, these rates will similarly decline.

Under this bill, participating utilities include investor-owned utilities, electric cooperatives and some municipal utilities. Implementation costs of all bill measures are fully recoverable by participating utilities.

Current Status

HB 167 has been introduced to the House, but has been assigned to the House Tourism, Development, and Energy committee.

Take Action

1. Come to our Clean Energy Lobby Day on Tuesday February 28th.  KFTC members and our allies will be bringing a large group of people to the state capital to lobby for this legislation.  If you wish to attend the lobby day, please contact Lisa Abbott or your local organizer