Kentucky

March 25, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky.—“House Bill 444 represents an important first step in regulating the practice of payday lending in the Commonwealth. The real-time database being created will provide enhanced monitoring capabilities, which should lead to a 25 to 30 percent reduction in the number of loans. It is important that we move forward now with this strong protective measure on behalf of consumers and others who may fall prey to predatory lending practices.    » read more »

Projects in anticipation of BRAC realignment

March 23, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Joined by community leaders, legislators and county and city officials, Gov. Steve Beshear today announced $100 million of state approved transportation and infrastructure projects for Hardin and Meade counties.

The projects will support the communities in accommodating the growth expected from the federal Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Commission’s 2005 decision to realign to Ft. Knox.

“The BRAC realignment affects not only the Ft. Knox region, but the entire commonwealth,” Gov. Beshear said. “We must support these communities in their efforts to address the necessary demands this realignment will require, including transportation and infrastructure growth.”    » read more »

Will fund expansion of bus garage, purchase of hybrid buses

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 19, 2009) – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced that a public transit system serving seven counties in western Kentucky has been awarded just over $4 million in federal stimulus funding for new buses and expansion of facilities.

The grant for Green River Intra-County Transit System (GRITS) is part of a $50.3 million allotment to Kentucky for transit funding under President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“This grant is a timely investment in public services that are indispensable for many of our residents,” Gov. Beshear said. “It is an example of how the President’s plan and our Kentucky At Work initiative will help us get through this very challenging time.”    » read more »

March 18, 2009 -- BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Western Kentucky University is taking a major step toward reducing energy consumption and making a positive impact on the environment.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear and WKU President Gary Ransdell today announced the adoption of a comprehensive Energy Policy for WKU that outlines individual and University responsibility for energy management. The policy, developed by the WKU Sustainability Committee’s Energy Conservation Task Force, has been approved by the University’s Administrative Council and takes effect immediately.    » read more »

Gives Kentuckians window into how stimulus dollars are spent

March 18, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today unveiled the new “Kentucky at Work” Web site – a virtual information center that will give Kentuckians access to how federal stimulus dollars are being spent in the Commonwealth.

“One of the cornerstones of the federal recovery effort is to be transparent and accountable with every dollar being spent in Kentucky,” said Gov. Beshear. “This new site is one important way we can be transparent and accountable with the dollars we are using in the commonwealth to save and create jobs.”    » read more »

New Analysis Ranks "Filthy 15" States by Coal Ash Produced by Proposed Plants

Washington, D.C. (March 12, 2009) -- Proposed coal plants across the United States would produce nearly 18 million tons of dangerous waste, including toxic metals, each year. Nearly 130 million tons of coal waste from existing plants is being produced annually, most of which is disposed of in largely unregulated landfills, ponds and other locations, posing serious public health and environmental risks.

According to a new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council, the 15 states that would be the biggest polluters -- the “Filthy 15” -- have proposals for 54 coal plants and would create nearly 14 million tons of dangerous waste.    » read more »

March 10, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has asked President Obama’s administration to approve individual assistance for qualifying Kentucky residents who suffered severe damages to their homes and property in the January winter storm.    » read more »

Kentucky Native Joins Sierra Club to Ask Obama Administration to End the Destruction

March 4, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. Film star Ashley Judd has teamed up with the Sierra Club to help stop mountaintop removal coal mining. With a new personal letter, video and online “take-action,” Ashley Judd is asking the Obama Administration to step in and protect the mountains, streams and people of Appalachia.

“I grew up in Eastern Kentucky, and like so many Appalachians, just seeing our beautiful mountains and valleys tells me I am home,” says Judd in the letter. “Our mountains are our heritage and our legacy to future generations. But big coal companies are using explosives to literally blow the tops off the mountains, extract the coal and destroy Appalachia.”    » read more »

March 02, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, along with Attorney General Jack Conway, today announced an extension on the state’s price gouging statutes.

Originally enacted on Jan. 28th, the extension will allow for an additional window of time to investigate any complaints of price gouging that may occur relative to gas, heating and building supplies in the aftermath of January’s winter storm.

“Due to the extent of storm damage and massive cleanup efforts statewide, today’s extension will ensure Kentuckians are protected from predatory pricing as we continue to recover from the greatest natural disaster in Kentucky history,” Gov. Beshear said.    » read more »

March 02, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, along with state and local economic development representatives today joined officials from Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE: CCE) to commemorate the opening of the company’s new Information Technology (IT) Development Center in Louisville.

The 5,600 square-foot Business Information Services (BIS) Development Center, located on Corporate Campus Drive, will be an extension of IT services provided from the system’s Atlanta group, where Coca-Cola Enterprises is headquartered. The BIS Development Center of Louisville will extend the BIS mission and build in-house knowledge by reducing reliance on external contractors, and will focus on new development and top-end projects.    » read more »

March 02, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today announced that Kentucky will use $37 million in federal funding to help communities respond to the effects of high home and property foreclosures in the wake of the country’s economic crisis.

Surrounded by Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry and members of concerned community nonprofit groups,, Gov. Beshear said the emergency assistance, made available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), will help the state and communities such as Lexington acquire and re-develop foreclosed properties that might otherwise become sources of abandonment and blight within their communities.    » read more »

February 27, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Recognizing the need to further assist struggling families, Gov. Steve Beshear has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that will give Kentuckians drawing unemployment insurance benefits an additional $25 per week.

“It is critical at this time to use available resources that will assist our unemployed workers who are bridging the gap to new employment,” Gov. Beshear said. “This agreement not only provides them an extra boost, but it is a positive step toward infusing money back into our communities and putting Kentuckians back to work.”    » read more »

Energy efficiency rehabs of low, moderate-income housing hailed for savings to families, environment

February 26, 2009 -- LEXINGTON, Ky. — Joined by Lexington Mayor Jim Newberry, partners from the housing, environmental and business communities and several volunteers, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear today launched the pilot program of Kentucky’s Clean Energy Corps (KCEC) at the North Lexington home of Leona Pena. Pena’s home is the first of 100 low to moderate-income Central Kentucky homes to receive energy efficiency rehabilitation in KCEC pilot project.    » read more »

‘Kentucky at Work’ initiative to focus on today’s commitments, tomorrow’s investments

February 25, 2009 -- LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today unveiled the “Kentucky at Work” initiative – the details of an estimated $3 billion in stimulus funding from the federal government that will be invested in Kentucky over the next 28 months.    » read more »

Governor orders immediate night, weekend energy “setbacks” for lighting, heating, and air in state facilities

February 18, 2009 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear today announced a couple of energy efficiency initiatives that will further establish Kentucky as a national leader in the “greening” of public buildings.

The first initiative will require new public facilities or renovations to existing facilities built with 50 percent or more state funds to be designed according to nationally recognized energy efficiency standards outlined in a rating system called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).    » read more »