Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says the state is close to landing a plant that would produce high-tech batteries for vehicles.The governor announced Monday that the National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Batteries is looking to build a $600 million plant in Hardin County that could employ 2,000 people."What this means is tomorrow's cars, the new generation of clean, efficient will be powered in the Bluegrass State," Beshear said.Last week, Beshear announced that UK and U of L are joining forces with Argonne National Laboratory to develop lithium battery technology for the automotive industry.Officials say the Hardin County project can go forward if it's approved for federal stimulus funds from the U.S. Department of Energy.(Thanks to Stu Johnson, Kentucky Public Radio/WEKU, Richmond)
Rick Howlett is host of WFPL's weekly talk show, "In Conversation." Email Rick at rhowlett@lpm.org.