Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires utility companies receive permission from the Kentucky Public Service Commission before retiring a fossil fuel-fired electric generating unit.

Highlights:

• Establishes that the State commission shall have authority to approve or deny the retirement of an electric generating unit and that those wanting to retire a unit must make a request to the commission 30 days prior to application which will be approved or denied within receiving a complete application (Sec.2). 

• Establishes a rebuttal process by which utility companies shall make an appeal to the commission if they can prove that retiring a fossil fuel generator and replacing it will allow for improved reliability, improved or similar reserve capacity, will not result in a net increase in costs, or the replacement is not based on incentives given by other federal agencies (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes that the utility company shall provide the commission with any costs of retiring a generator will demonstrate the cost savings that customers will receive as a result of said replacement (Sec. 2).

• Requires the commission to provide a report about the amount of requests for generator  replacements and the costs associated with said replacements that will be incurred on the ratepayers (Sec. 2) 

• Establishes an emergency based on the effect that said replacement efforts have on the tax revenue, utility rates, and employment rates in Kentucky (Sec. 3). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires utility companies receive permission from the Kentucky Public Service Commission before retiring a fossil fuel-fired electric generating unit.

Highlights:

• Establishes that the State commission shall have authority to approve or deny the retirement of an electric generating unit and that those wanting to retire a unit must make a request to the commission 30 days prior to application which will be approved or denied within receiving a complete application (Sec.2). 

• Establishes a rebuttal process by which utility companies shall make an appeal to the commission if they can prove that retiring a fossil fuel generator and replacing it will allow for improved reliability, improved or similar reserve capacity, will not result in a net increase in costs, or the replacement is not based on incentives given by other federal agencies (Sec. 2). 

• Establishes that the utility company shall provide the commission with any costs of retiring a generator will demonstrate the cost savings that customers will receive as a result of said replacement (Sec. 2).

• Requires the commission to provide a report about the amount of requests for generator  replacements and the costs associated with said replacements that will be incurred on the ratepayers (Sec. 2) 

• Establishes an emergency based on the effect that said replacement efforts have on the tax revenue, utility rates, and employment rates in Kentucky (Sec. 3). 

Full Bill Text