Kentucky

Hydrogen | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Ohio | Statewide OH | Statewide WV | West Virginia

Reuters Reporting ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Wins Funding in M-U Region
October 12, 2023October 12, 2023

We have some exciting news to share! Yesterday, we told you that super secret sources whispering to Reuters say the Bidenistas will announce, on Friday, the winners of $7 billion in grant money to construct hydrogen hubs around the country (see Bidenistas to Announce Hydrogen Hub Hunger Games Winners on Friday). The same super secret sources couldn’t help themselves. They further blabbed to Reuters the identities of two of the winners, one of which is the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), backed by West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Read More “Reuters Reporting ARCH2 Hydrogen Hub Wins Funding in M-U Region”
Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Pipelines

Land Purchases Wrapping Up for W. Kentucky 53-Mile NatGas Pipe
September 26, 2023September 26, 2023

Western Kentucky counties

Last September, MDN told you about a new 53-mile pipeline project in Western Kentucky — a 16-inch natural gas pipeline to feed natgas to the southern Pennyrile Region (see Kentucky Spending $30M on New NatGas Pipe to Expand Biz Growth). The $115 million project is partly being underwritten by a $30 million grant from the State of Kentucky. Half of the state money ($15 million) was distributed last year, and the other half was distributed this year (see W. Kentucky 53-Mile NatGas Pipe Moving Forward with State Funding). Officials report that more than 80% of the land needed for the project is now leased and ready to go.
Read More “Land Purchases Wrapping Up for W. Kentucky 53-Mile NatGas Pipe”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Regulation

Louisville Gas & Elec & KY Utilities Propose 2 New Gas-Fired Plants
August 14, 2023August 14, 2023

Last December, PPL Corporation subsidiaries Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company (KU) announced a plan to replace 1,500 megawatts of aging coal-fired generation (nearly one-third of Kentucky’s coal fleet!) with two 621-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle units along with several unreliable, intermittent solar projects (see PPL Replacing Coal-Fired Power Plants with NatGas in Louisville, KY). The state Public Service Commission will hold a virtual public hearing tomorrow to consider comments about the two proposed gas-fired power plants.
Read More “Louisville Gas & Elec & KY Utilities Propose 2 New Gas-Fired Plants”
Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Pipelines | Regulation

W. Kentucky 53-Mile NatGas Pipe Moving Forward with State Funding
July 17, 2023July 17, 2023

Western Kentucky counties

Last September, MDN told you about a new 53-mile pipeline project in Western Kentucky–a 16-inch natural gas pipeline to feed natgas to the southern Pennyrile Region (see Kentucky Spending $30M on New NatGas Pipe to Expand Biz Growth). The $115 million project is partly being underwritten by a $30 million grant from the State of Kentucky. Half of the state money ($15 million) was distributed last year, and the other half is coming this year.
Read More “W. Kentucky 53-Mile NatGas Pipe Moving Forward with State Funding”
Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Litigation | Pipelines

Court Allows LG&E to Build Tiny Pipe Thru Kentucky Arboretum Land
April 6, 2023April 6, 2023

click for larger version

In May 2021, MDN told you that Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) had won Kentucky state approval to build a new 12-inch, 12-mile pipeline near Louisville to supply gas to homes and businesses that can’t connect to LG&E’s local natgas utility system because it is currently maxed out (see Pass the Jim Beam! Judge Clears Way for Gas Pipe Near Louisville, KY). The local Bernheim Arboretum has resisted attempts to build across three-tenths of one percent (0.028%) of Arboretum land–along an existing cleared path where electric lines already go. LG&E took the Arboretum to court, and last week the court ruled in favor of LG&E and its right to build the pipe through a small section of Arboretum land.
Read More “Court Allows LG&E to Build Tiny Pipe Thru Kentucky Arboretum Land”
Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Litigation | Pipelines

LG&E Takes Kentucky Arboretum to Court to Build Tiny Pipe
January 12, 2023January 12, 2023

In May 2021, MDN told you that Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) had won Kentucky state approval to build a new 12-inch, 12-mile pipeline near Louisville to supply gas to homes and businesses that can’t connect to LG&E’s local natgas utility system because it is currently maxed out (see Pass the Jim Beam! Judge Clears Way for Gas Pipe Near Louisville, KY). The local Bernheim Arboretum has resisted attempts to build across three-tenths of one percent (0.028%) of Arboretum land–along an existing cleared path where electric lines already go (see KY Utility Hints at Defunding Local Arboretum Blocking New Pipe). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted a permit for the full 12-mile pipeline, including across Arboretum land, in September of 2021 (see Pass the Jim Beam! Army Corps Issues Pipeline Permit for KY Forest). Yet the fossil fuel haters running the Arboretum refuse to allow construction. So it’s off to court…
Read More “LG&E Takes Kentucky Arboretum to Court to Build Tiny Pipe”
Hydrogen | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Ohio | Statewide OH | Statewide WV | West Virginia

WV-Led Hydrogen Hub Proposal Green-Lighted for Next Round
January 10, 2023January 10, 2023

Yesterday we told you that the Pennsylvania-blessed effort by Shell and Equinor to build (at taxpayers’ expense) a so-called hydrogen hub in PA has received the Dept. of Energy’s blessing (“encouragement”) to submit a full application (see PA-Backed Blue Hydrogen Hub Effort Passes First Hurdle with DOE). We were kind of nervous that we had not heard whether or not another project, led by West Virginia but endorsed by Ohio, Kentucky, and over 200 organizations, had also received DOE’s blessing to submit a full application. Whew. They did.
Read More “WV-Led Hydrogen Hub Proposal Green-Lighted for Next Round”
Hydrogen | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Statewide WV | West Virginia

Kentucky Joins Multi-State, West Virginia-Led Hydrogen Hub Coalition
January 9, 2023January 9, 2023

West Virginia is taking the lead in a coalition to apply for (and build) a regional hydrogen hub, funded by taxpayers as provided for in the so-called Biden infrastructure bill. Some 200 organizations (universities, businesses, trade associations, etc.) have joined the WV effort, called Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), including the State of Ohio (see Finally! Ohio Joins Effort to Locate Hydrogen Hub in West Virginia). Pennyslvania has stubbornly gone its own way (see PA Decides to Back Shell/Equinor Application for $1B Hydrogen Hub). Good news! Another Appalachian state, Kentucky, is now supporting the WV ARCH2 effort to attract the hydrogen hub.
Read More “Kentucky Joins Multi-State, West Virginia-Led Hydrogen Hub Coalition”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky

BlackRock, JPMorgan, Citi About to Lose Kentucky as a Customer
January 5, 2023January 5, 2023

Kentucky is joining a number of other states, including Texas, West Virginia, and Florida, in putting Big Banks (and Big Investment Firms) on notice that those companies are about to lose the business of the State of Kentucky. On Tuesday, State Treasurer Allison Ball released a list of 11 financial companies that are engaged in energy company boycotts–refusing to invest in, or loan money to, fossil energy companies. The list includes BlackRock, Citigroup, and JPMorgan Chase, among others.
Read More “BlackRock, JPMorgan, Citi About to Lose Kentucky as a Customer”
Electrical Generation | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky

PPL Replacing Coal-Fired Power Plants with NatGas in Louisville, KY
December 19, 2022August 14, 2023

Last week PPL Corporation subsidiaries Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company announced a plan to replace 1,500 megawatts of aging coal-fired generation (nearly one-third of Kentucky’s coal fleet!) with two 621-megawatt natural gas combined-cycle units along with several unreliable, intermittent solar projects. The coal-fired plants are due to be retired by 2028.
Read More “PPL Replacing Coal-Fired Power Plants with NatGas in Louisville, KY”
Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Pipelines

Kentucky Spending $30M on New NatGas Pipe to Expand Biz Growth
September 22, 2022September 22, 2022

Gov. Andy Beshear/Twitter

There’s no wishy-washiness or shilly-shallying in Kentucky when it comes to building new natural gas pipelines. At least, there isn’t any prevarication under the current administration of Gov. Andy Beshear. Earlier this week, Beshear presented a ceremonial check for $30 million to fund the construction of a 53-mile, 16-inch natural gas pipeline to feed natgas to the southern Pennyrile Region in the western part of the state. The aim is to “support rapid business growth” in that area of the state. Business growth and jobs coming to Kentucky–thanks to Marcellus/Utica shale gas.
Read More “Kentucky Spending $30M on New NatGas Pipe to Expand Biz Growth”
Accidents | Enbridge | Energy Services | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Pipelines | Regulation

NTSB Issues Final Report on 2019 Kentucky TETCO Pipe Explosion
September 21, 2022September 21, 2022

2019 TETCO Pipeline explosion/fire in Kentucky

On August 1, 2019, one of three Texas Eastern Pipeline Company (TETCO) pipelines exploded in Lincoln County, Kentucky, killing one, sending six to the hospital, destroying four homes, and damaging 14 other homes (see TETCO Pipe Explodes in Kentucky Killing 1; Southbound M-U Gas Stops). TETCO’s pipelines are a major conduit for Marcellus/Utica gas to the Gulf Coast, and for a time, all flows heading south on TETCO stopped. The federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) both investigated the accident. The NTSB recently issued a final report identifying several factors that contributed to the explosion and fire.
Read More “NTSB Issues Final Report on 2019 Kentucky TETCO Pipe Explosion”
Anti-Drilling/Fossil Fuel | Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Litigation | Pipelines

Big Green Sues to Block Tiny 12-Mile Pipe in Kentucky
March 21, 2022March 21, 2022

In May 2021 MDN told you that Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) had won Kentucky state approval to build a new 12-inch, 12-mile pipeline near Louisville to supply gas to 62 homes and businesses that can’t connect to LG&E’s local natgas utility system (see Pass the Jim Beam! Judge Clears Way for Gas Pipe Near Louisville, KY). The local Bernheim Arboretum has resisted attempts to build across three-tenths of one percent (0.028%) of Arboretum land–along an existing cleared path where electric lines already go (see KY Utility Hints at Defunding Local Arboretum Blocking New Pipe). The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers granted a permit for the full 12-mile pipeline, including across Arboretum land, in September of last year (see Pass the Jim Beam! Army Corps Issues Pipeline Permit for KY Forest). As LG&E gets ready to built, the Arboretum, in collusion with two Big Green groups, is suing to block the pipeline.
Read More “Big Green Sues to Block Tiny 12-Mile Pipe in Kentucky”
Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Pipelines | Regulation

Pass the Jim Beam! Army Corps Issues Pipeline Permit for KY Forest
September 13, 2021September 13, 2021

In May MDN told you that Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) had won Kentucky state approval to build a new 12-inch, 12-mile pipeline near Louisville to supply gas to 62 homes and businesses that can’t connect to LG&E’s local natgas utility system (see Pass the Jim Beam! Judge Clears Way for Gas Pipe Near Louisville, KY). The local Bernheim Arboretum has resisted attempts to build across three-tenths of one percent (0.028%) of Arboretum land–along an existing cleared path where electric lines already go (see KY Utility Hints at Defunding Local Arboretum Blocking New Pipe). Too bad for Big Green. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently granted a permit for the full 12-mile pipeline–including across Arboretum land.
Read More “Pass the Jim Beam! Army Corps Issues Pipeline Permit for KY Forest”
Industrywide Issues | Kentucky | Litigation | Pipelines

Pass the Jim Beam! Judge Clears Way for Gas Pipe Near Louisville, KY
May 21, 2021May 21, 2021

Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) has Kentucky state approval to build a new 12-inch, 12-mile pipeline near Louisville to supply gas to 62 homes and businesses that can’t connect to LG&E’s local natgas utility system. The local Bernheim Arboretum has resisted attempts to build across three-tenths of one percent (0.028%) of Arboretum land–along an existing cleared path where electric lines already go (see KY Utility Hints at Defunding Local Arboretum Blocking New Pipe). Whatever. Antis tried to claim the only reason LG&E wants to build the pipeline is to feed the local Jim Beam production plant (see Antis Use Jim Beam to Try and Block Pipeline Near Louisville, KY). That flopped. Who doesn’t love Jim Beam? This week a judge ruled LG&E can use eminent domain and proceed with the project. Pull out your shot glass. Let’s get this party started!
Read More “Pass the Jim Beam! Judge Clears Way for Gas Pipe Near Louisville, KY”
Diversified Energy | Energy Companies | Kentucky

Diversified Gas & Oil Plays Big Role in Kentucky O&G Industry
December 1, 2020December 1, 2020

Diversified Gas & Oil (DGO) is a fascinating company (see our DGO stories here). DGO’s strategy is to buy wells in “the long tail.” That is, wells already drilled with production far along the decline curve, but wells that will continue to produce small amounts for years to come. In October, DGO CEO Rusty Hutson, a West Virginia native, wrote a column for the Charleston Gazette-Mail expressing his company’s love for and investment in the Mountain State (see Diversified Gas & Oil Employs 425, Spends $100M per Year in WV). We have a similar article recently written for Kentucky where DGO has extensive assets.
Read More “Diversified Gas & Oil Plays Big Role in Kentucky O&G Industry”