Bianca Sanchez, bianca.sanchez@sierraclub.org
LOUISVILLE, KY. - This week, the Kentucky legislature introduced a dangerous bill that would eliminate the opportunity for Sierra Club and other organizations to intervene in proceedings at the Kentucky Public Service Commission on behalf of Kentuckians, kneecapping the groups’ ability to defend local people from increasingly high energy bills and corporate interests.
If passed, Senate Bill 8 (SB 8, An Act relating to public utilities and declaring an emergency) would result in multiple changes to PSC regulations, including new limitations on the public’s ability to participate before the Commission. Under the proposed bill, should the Attorney General intervene—which is almost every case—the AG would be the only advocate allowed for residential customers.
Sierra Club routinely intervenes in PSC cases on behalf of Kentuckians. Intervention by Sierra Club’s legal team has successfully mitigated bill increases for millions of Kentucky ratepayers and recently secured a tariff that guarantees data centers pay their fair share of costs and have the opportunity to secure clean energy that may help draw businesses to the State.
“The public deserves more than a single voice in the Public Service Commission,” said Julia Finch, Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter Director. “In the face of a mounting affordability crisis, intervenors like Sierra Club are vital to keeping utilities in check, ensuring our families are not crushed under the weight of for-profit utility greed and ever-increasing energy rates. This is a critical time for energy in our state, with looming interest in data center development, and we Kentuckians cannot afford this step back.”
“If our state legislature had the best interest of Kentuckians at heart, they would be in favor of more voices speaking out on the public’s behalf, not less,” said Elisa Owen, Kentucky’s Beyond Coal Campaign Senior Organizer. “At a time when gas and electric bills are rising for everyday workers and their families, special interests want to keep the public out of the Public Service Commission. We will not stand by as our leaders attempt to clear the room so that no one can challenge their corporate allegiance. Today, we’re calling on the legislature to be honest with the public about which utility lobbyist wrote this corporate gift of a bill. We intend to fight this and secure Kentucky residents and families the right to have their voices heard.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.