KY County Extension Offices Increasing Climate Resilience

A solar battery storage project at the Franklin County Extension Office is expected to save taxpayers $10,000 a year on utility bills and provide reliable back-up power during emergencies. The project also comes with environmental benefits, including 86,000 pounds of avoided carbon emissions per year.

Read the full article here, published by Public News Service, Dec. 17, 2024.

Photo, aerial view of solar arrays on the Franklin County Extension Office in Frankfort (Franklin County Extension Office).

Input Sought for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Study

Interested stakeholders providing related goods and services of biomass feedstock can now participate in an online questionnaire as part of a collaborative Biomass Feedstock for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Study. The questionnaire is the first phase of an initiative funded through Kentucky's State Energy Program to evaluate the use of representative feedstocks to produce SAF in Kentucky. The study is conducted by the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research in partnership with the Office of Energy Policy. The questionnaire is currently available on the UK CAER website and will close on December 31, 2024. To learn more, contact Hailey.Mattingly@ky.gov.



New Economic Data Now Available for the Nation, States and Local Areas

The U.S. Census Bureau released new national, state and local economic data from the 2022 Economic Census, a primary source of information about the U.S. economy. The Geographic Area Statistics provide detailed industry statistics by geographic area, including states, metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas, counties, and places for employer businesses (those with paid employees) in the United States. Data include the number of firms, establishments, employees, sales, and annual and first-quarter payroll. Click here for data highlights.



Federal Funding Open for a Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone Rating

Federal funding opportunities are currently open to participate in the BDO Zone Initiative that certifies ‘regional readiness’ for bio-manufacturing, creates global connections, and identifies clean energy opportunities. This economic development tool leverages local biomass feedstock and infrastructure assets to attract new biobased investments and development projects to certified regions. By providing a standardized risk assessment framework, BDO Zone ratings help mitigate development risks and create new markets for underutilized biomass resources. Access more information and funding details here.



Tips to Help You Save on Energy Bills this Winter

December 21st marks the start of the winter season. For many Americans, cold and often freezing temperatures mean higher utility bills to keep warm.

Keep your home energy bills in check by following these simple tips recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The Office of Energy Policy Staff extends warm wishes for a very Happy Holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous

New Year.

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance Map: Extent and Impact of Clean Energy Workforce in the Southeast

Clean energy jobs are an increasingly large portion of the energy workforce nationwide and provide 39% of the energy jobs spread across the Southeast. This map uses data from the United States Energy & Employment Jobs Report from 2023 to explore the extent and impact of the clean energy workforce in the Southeast. Explore the map here.

National Energy Education Development Project

NEED provides energy education to Kentucky's teachers and K-12 students through workshops and on-site programming with support from grant funds from Kentucky's State Energy Program. Teachers are invited to visit NEED's website to access free energy education activities and special holiday contests are available through January for schools, classrooms/groups, individual students, or families!