The Importance of Collective Action
Seems like we keep saying this lately— This has been one of the busiest “slow seasons” KCC has had in quite some time. Usually the Interim Session is a slower time to have quality conversations with lawmakers, research emerging issues, collaborate with cabinet officials and prepare for the upcoming General Assembly in January.
But the most important part of this work is to be a resource for the public. And that work is always a joy when the public is active and engaged in what is happening in their local community, or take a stand on issues that are important to them.
This past week, KCC had the pleasure of joining citizens who braved the cold to raise awareness in Frankfort over the need to have reasonable utility policies that do not leave our citizens in the cold when they may be facing a hardship due to payment delays with their utility. Please continue to contact Governor Beshear and ask for a moratorium on utility disconnections through March and “leave the heat on.”
And then, we headed out to Mason County, where citizens have been fighting to maintain their small rural farming areas and ask for smart planning and zoning to address a proposed data center campus. Citizens filled the auditorium at the local Maysville community college to hear from groups like KCC on the impact of these projects, and then give their own citizen testimony, despite being placed last in line after the pro-data center presenters. We are proud to stand with this active and engaged community to help find solutions that are supportive of their local agriculture.
Left: Rally for a moratorium on utility disconnections. Right: KCC presents to citizens in Mason County on Data Centers.
Executive Orders on Data Centers and
New Energy Report
During our presentation to the citizens in Maysville/Mason County this week, we mentioned that the Trump Administration was considering an executive order designed to override state’s rights in regulating Artificial Intelligence and data center infrastructure. That Order has now been posted as of December 11th. Link here. Among the provisions, the Order is asking for the preparation of a legislative recommendation establishing a uniform Federal policy framework for AI that preempts State AI laws that conflict with the policy set forth in this Executive Order.
It is clear that states are becoming overwhelmed with data center proposals, while the public, at the same time, is pushing back hard. Our neighbors in Ohio are increasingly questioning the impact that these projects are having on the grid. (See “Energy Market Watchers See Ohio Electric Bills Rising as Data Center Demands Continue”). The pressure on utilities to build out their power generation has also led to scandals such as a controversy between Ohio’s First Energy and legislation that was passed through Ohio’s House Bill 6 which led to a $250 million dollar penalty to that utility.
So now is the time for citizens to be watching their utilities carefully. This is why we particularly want to highlight a new report by Current Energy Group that was commissioned collectively by our allies at Kentucky Resources Council, Mountain Association, Metropolitan Housing Coalition and Earthjustice that details how a diverse portfolio that leverages clean energy would strengthen Kentucky’s grid resilience and can reduce energy bills for ratepayers. [Report link here.]
Nature-Based Solutions for Flood Control
Finally, we ended the week back in Frankfort, where Reps. Mark Hart and Chris Freeland and Ky. Division of water hosted an information session for lawmakers on flood mitigation utilizing “floodplain sinks.” These projects are designed to be smaller community-based projects for local areas that frequently flood, and avoids more disruptive mitigation methods such as stream dredging. See handout. KCC has invited the Division of Water to present on this community-driven solution to water management during our KCC Legislative Summit in January at Kentucky State University in Frankfort. We are still confirming speakers and finalizing the full agenda for our conference on January 25th, but the event is free to KCC members in good standing. You can reserve your seat for this annual conference here.