Sierra Club agreement puts the screws to KY coal

June 12, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

The Sierra Club and American Electric Power (AEP) have reached a tentative agreement that would resolve the future of power generation in eastern Kentucky after the retirement of the coal-fired generators at the Big Sandy Power Plant in 2015, according to the Sierra Club.

The proposed deal commits AEP subsidiary Kentucky Power to invest in a host of clean energy and energy-efficiency programs and focus on new low-income community development investments.

Kentucky Power must significantly increase its energy-efficiency investments over the next five years --from three million dollars in 2013 to four million in 2014, five million in 2015 and six million annually from 2016 to 2018. Investments must continue at 2018 levels thereafter. Further, Kentucky Power must incorporate a request for 100 MW of wind power into their upcoming integrated resource planning process, which creates the blue print for where electricity will be generated and where the company will buy electricity over the next few years.

Finally, the agreement commits Kentucky Power Company to invest $500,000 toward economic development in low-income communities. At least one-third must be used for job training with a focus on weatherization and energy-efficiency training.

"Kentucky Power has taken a step in the right direction," said Alice Howell, chair of the Cumberland Chapter of the Sierra Club in Kentucky. "It is critical that we continue to look for ways to support economic transition investments in Eastern Kentucky as coal-related jobs disappear, while creating a clean energy future based around home grown economic development and smart energy solutions. This deal starts us along that path."

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/sierra-club-agreement-puts-screws-ky-coal/2013-06-12