Rural Kentucky to benefit from $140M clean energy boost

By Blake Jackson

The administration announced $140 million for clean energy projects in Kentucky, aiming to lower power bills, expand access to renewable energy, and create jobs in rural communities.

This investment is part of the USDA's Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) program, funded by the Inflation Reduction Act the largest investment in rural electrification since 1936.

“Rural people deserve continued energy opportunities as demand for clean energy increases,” Deputy Secretary Torres Small said. “The Biden-Harris Administration is working to make sure efforts to tackle climate change also help grow the local economy. These USDA investments will lower costs for Americans and create good-paying jobs in rural communities for years to come.”

Four Kentucky projects received PACE funding:

• Bluestem Energy Solutions TEC1 LLC will build a solar power facility in Allen County, generating 5 megawatts (enough to power over 900 homes) with a ~$6.6 million investment.
• Lock 9 Hydro Partners LLC plans a run-of-river hydroelectric plant on the Kentucky River for Jessamine County. This $19.3 million project is expected to produce 3 megawatts, powering an estimated 1,600 homes.
• Lock 10 Hydro Partners LLC secured ~$18.9 million for a similar hydroelectric plant on the Kentucky River in Madison County, also generating 3 megawatts and powering 1,600 homes.
• Lock 13 Hydro Partners LLC received ~$17.7 million to build a run-of-river hydroelectric plant on the Kentucky River in Lee County (an RPN community). This project aims to generate 3 megawatts, enough to power 1,600 homes.

These projects align with the USDA's focus on rural development through clean energy initiatives.

PACE offers low-interest loans and loan forgiveness to support renewable energy projects, making clean energy more affordable for rural communities.

This investment builds on the USDA's Rural Partners Network (RPN), launched in 2022. RPN provides technical assistance and facilitates access to federal programs for rural communities. Lee County, benefiting from one of the funded projects, is an RPN community.

To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

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