KY Grid Resilience Grant Program Year 3 Funding Opportunity and Free Webinar Nov. 12, 2024

Attention Kentucky Municipal Public Power Utilities!

The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Office of Energy Policy announces applications for the Year 3 grant funding of the Ky. Grid Resilience Grant Program will open beginning November 15, 2024. This funding is available for Kentucky municipal public power utilities to develop community-based electric grid resilience projects. The Office of Energy Policy is hosting a free webinar to inform eligible entities about the Year 3 funding opportunities on November 12, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT. Register here or on the OEP Website.



Kentucky Solar for All: Are You Ready to Engage?

Call for solar stakeholders! The Kentucky Solar for All program's one-year planning period has begun with a call for stakeholder engagement and identifying implementation partners by early 2025.

What can you do now? The OEP suggests the first step is to review the SFA Strategy and identify where you can plug into Kentucky's stakeholder discussions. Consider if you want to participate as an observer, implementer, or advocate for Kentucky SFA. Next, complete this brief stakeholder form and stay informed at Solar for All | Office of Energy Policy – Project Explorer (arcgis.com) and Projects – Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. Have questions? Contact emma.strong@ky.gov.



Two Kentucky Agriculture Projects Awarded REAP Grants for Energy Improvements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced two Kentucky projects were awarded Rural Energy for American Program (REAP) grants to support clean energy projects. Taylor Marshall Property LLC in Franklin County received $86,511 for energy-efficiency improvements, expected to save $601 per year and 5,954 kilowatt hours per year. Owensboro RNG LLC was awarded $1 million to capture and process 4.7 million gallons of renewable natural gas per year at the West Daviess County Landfill. Kentucky is among 39 states, Guam and Puerto Rico to receive grant funds from the $126 million REAP program. Read the press release here.



U.S. DOE Selects Anthro Energy for $24.9Million Grant to Build U.S.-Owned Advanced Electrolyte Production Facility in Louisville

In an important step to strengthen the U.S. supply chain for advanced battery technologies, the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains announced the selection of Anthro Energy for a $24.9 million grant to establish the first large-scale, U.S.-owned and operated advanced electrolyte production facility. Anthro will use this grant to transform an existing manufacturing site into a state-of-the-art 25GWh production facility in Louisville, Ky. dedicated to producing 12,000 metric tons of advanced electrolyte each year. This will significantly enhance the safety, lifespan, and performance of modern lithium-ion battery cells. Learn more.

ARCH2 Issues New RFI for Clean Hydrogen Projects

The Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2) has announced a new Request for Information (RFI) for potential clean hydrogen projects. Focus areas include full or partial hydrogen value chain solutions, with a preference for projects addressing connective infrastructure. The deadline to submit an RFI is November 8, 2024.

New entities and existing ARCH2 partners are encouraged to participate in the growing hydrogen economy in Appalachia. Hydrogen is one component of Kentucky's Energy Strategy. To learn more, visit the EEC Website to learn about the Hydrogen Hub Workgroup and Kentucky's hydrogen efforts. Kentucky participates on the board of ARCH2, a regional hub that brings together private industry, state and local government, academic and technology institutions, NGOs, and community organizations across the Northern Appalachian region including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky.

Energy Ready Program Launches to Accelerate Local Clean Energy Deployment

Energy Ready will help local governments expand distributed solar and wind energy, as well as electric vehicle charging. to analyze and potentially streamline efforts to expand distributed solar and wind energy, as well as electric vehicle charging.

This new integrated effort is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)to support local governments with free technical assistance and recognizes their improvements in planning, zoning, and permitting distributed energy generation. The International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) launched Energy Ready in late September.

Learn more.

Kena Stump presented to more than 1,200 attendees at the Shaping our Appalachian Region, SOAR Summit in Pikeville, Kentucky October 17 and 18.

Where are the gasoline super users in the United States?

In 2023, drivers in the United States consumed 376 million gallons of gasoline daily, nearly three times the rate in China, the world’s second-largest consumer. That prodigious use of gasoline enables a mobility and lifestyle many Americans value. See the average share of household income spent on gasoline by state.

Housing Development Alliance, Inc.

The Housing Development Alliance, or HDA, is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) affordable housing developer working in communities across four counties in rural southeastern Kentucky. As an integral component of Governor Beshear's Build Better Kentucky initiative, the OEP has awarded State Energy Program grant funding to help HDA fulfill its mission to provide good, high-quality, and affordable homes that can empower a family and make a profound difference in the course of their lives. Learn more.



2024 Ky. Governors Conference on Energy and Environment Presentation Playlist Available

Watch OEP Executive Director Kenya Stump moderate the "Weathering the Storm" panel discussion with guests Eric Gibson, Director of Kentucky Division of Emergency Management; Greg Henrich, Vice President of Transportation Operations and Power Supply, Tennessee Valey Authority; Heather Poizin, Senior Reliability Advisor, Southeast Reliability Corporation; and Kevin Middleton, President, United Way of Kentucky. If you weren't able to join us you can check out any or all of the sessions at https://www.youtube.com/playlist...