From Kentucky Public Radio's Tony McVeighKentucky Governor Steve Beshear has rolled out the state’s first ever comprehensive energy plan.Beshear says five of the seven states surrounding Kentucky have nuclear power plants and it’s time the commonwealth followed suit. He says he's not yet ready to ask lawmakers to lift the ban on nuclear power, but he’s beginning the dialogue.“I want to hear from the public and get their thoughts on that. But that obviously is one of the things that we will need to address if we decide if we want to move forward with the possible development of nuclear facilities in the state,” Beshear said.The 144 page energy plan also would increase the use of renewable energy; continue development of bio-fuels; develop a coal-to-liquids industry in the state; increase coal-to-gas efforts and initiate carbon sequestration projects for coal-generated electricity.The plan calls for a 20% reduction in the state's greenhouse gas emissions by 2025.
Rick Howlett was midday host and the host of LPM's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." He was with LPM from 2001-2023 and held many different titles, including Morning Edition host, Assignment Editor and Interim News Director. He died in August 2023. Read a remembrance of Rick here.