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FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 19, 2025) — Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, Senate Majority Caucus Chair Robby Mills, R-Henderson, Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee Chair Brandon Smith, R-Hazard, Sen. Steve West, R-Paris, Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, and Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, issued the following statement in response to a recent Kentucky Lantern article highlighting claims that Kentuckians could save billions by moving away from fossil fuels.
“Kentucky has long been a national leader in providing affordable, reliable energy while steadily reducing emissions and investing in cleaner technologies. We have made meaningful progress over the decades, and that work continues today through ongoing modernization efforts and responsible planning for next-generation nuclear power.
“The General Assembly has not ignored these challenges. That is why we established the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission through Senate Bill 349 in 2024 to ensure Kentucky’s energy policy is driven by facts, reliability, and long-term competitiveness.
“It is also important to understand the perspective behind this report. The study cited by the Kentucky Lantern was produced by a consulting firm openly dedicated to advancing aggressive policies that actually diminish our ability to grow the economic base, with the analysis authored by members of its own energy transition team. That context matters when evaluating conclusions shaped by a specific policy framework rather than a fully independent assessment of Kentucky’s energy future.
“The weather Kentuckians have experienced recently is a reminder that dependable, around-the-clock power is not optional. Families, hospitals, manufacturers, and employers rely on consistent electricity, especially during periods of extreme heat or cold.
“Kentucky is committed to continued energy progress and innovation, but we cannot risk affordability, reliability, or energy independence by rushing into policies that weaken our grid. Our energy future must build on the strong foundation already in place, keeping Kentucky competitive, resilient, and powered reliably every day.”
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BACKGROUND: The energy study cited by the Kentucky Lantern claims Kentuckians could save billions by moving away from fossil fuels. The study was produced by Current Energy Group, a consulting firm whose stated mission focuses on advancing the decarbonization of energy systems. Members of the firm’s own energy transition team authored the analysis, raising questions about whether the conclusions reflect an independent evaluation of Kentucky’s energy needs or a predetermined policy framework.
Kentucky lawmakers note that the commonwealth has already made substantial progress over decades in reducing emissions while maintaining affordable and reliable electricity. These efforts have allowed Kentucky to remain competitive while supporting families, manufacturers, and employers with some of the lowest electric rates in the country.
In recent days, periods of extreme weather have underscored the importance of dependable, around-the-clock power. Legislators have emphasized that energy policy must account for reliability during peak demand, particularly for hospitals, seniors, and critical infrastructure.
In 2024, the General Assembly took action to ensure a deliberate and fact-based approach to energy policy by establishing the Energy Policy and Inventory Commission through Senate Bill 349. The commission was established to assess Kentucky’s long-term energy strategy, with a focus on reliability, affordability, and competitiveness, rather than relying solely on studies that promote a single policy outcome.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.
Lawmakers returned to Frankfort in June to start the 2025 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2026 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, January. 6.
The full 2025 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas can be viewed at legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar.
Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.
You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visit KYSenateRepublicans.com.
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