Governor Beshear Seeks Federal Energy Funds

Press Release

Governor Beshear Seeks Federal Energy Funds

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today directed officials of his administration to contact the U. S. Department of Energy advising them of the state's interest in participating in future energy initiatives of the Department of Energy (DOE). This action was taken in response to a recent announcement by the DOE to restructure federal participation in the FutureGen Project.

Governor Beshear directed the Governor's Office of Energy Policy (GOEP) and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to collaboratively solicit interest from public and private businesses and organizations to assist in responding to the federal Request for Information March 3 deadline for post-FutureGen projects.

"I am disappointed that DOE appears to have decided to change course regarding the FutureGen Project in Illinois," said Beshear. "However, Kentucky never quit working on energy initiatives when Illinois was selected as the FutureGen site. This is evidenced by the passage of H.B. 1 in last year's special legislative session and the on-going work of groups like the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research and the Kentucky Geological Survey. That, along with our vast natural resources, clearly makes Kentucky more ready than ever to take advantage of future federal investments in innovative energy development."

Beshear said that his administration is determined to effectively compete for the high-wage jobs resulting from the worldwide search for new and environmentally-responsible energy solutions.

The Beshear administration has contacted the DOE to notify them of Kentucky's intent to respond to their RFI and will be doing the same by letter.

The GOEP and the Cabinet for Economic Development will jointly issue a state RFI and, using the information gathered from that, respond to the federal RFI.

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