KRS 132.020(5) provides that a part of the state share of the un-mined minerals tax collected each year be credited to the Energy and Environment Cabinet for the purpose of public education of coal-related issues.  This is a Request for Proposals from nonprofit entities or groups of entities having qualifications and experience for successfully conducting programs or activities for the purpose of public education of coal-related issues.

This is a Request for Proposals from firms or groups of firms having qualifications and experience to successfully commercialize energy related industrial projects in Kentucky. Such projects may include, but are not limited to, gasification projects to convert coal or biomass to liquid fuels, coal-to-gas, clean coal electricity generation, as well as other projects related to the industrialization of Kentucky's energy resources, including processes that facilitate, enhance, or improve extraction, processing or utilization of these resources.

Kentucky Submits Response to DOE’s Request for Information on Restructured FutureGen

On March 3, 2008, the commonwealth of Kentucky submitted its response to the United States Department of Energy’s Request for Information on the restructured FutureGen initiative. On Jan. 31, 2008, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced a restructured approach that aims to demonstrate advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at multiple commercial-scale Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) clean coal power plants throughout the country.

In response to the DOE’s January announcement, Gov. Beshear directed the Governor’s Office of Energy Policy (GOEP) and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development to collaboratively solicit interest from public and private businesses and organizations to assist in responding to the federal Request for Information (RFI). The document submitted to the DOE reflects the input from those who responded to state’s solicitation of interest.

Press Release

Carbon Management Study

House Bill 1 from the 2007 special session of the Kentucky General Assembly contained several provisions related to carbon research. Section 52 directed a Carbon Management Report for submission to the Legislative Research Commission. The study addressed technologies related to carbon capture from coal-fired power plants, and status of research on carbon capture, utilization, transportation, and storage.

New Legislation Funds Carbon Management Research

Anticipating possible federal requirements to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the use of coal in Kentucky, the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 1 in a 2007 special session. This bill authorizes funding for research by the Kentucky Geological Survey in the areas of carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery, carbon dioxide enhanced gas recovery, and permanent geologic storage of carbon dioxide. HB 1 encourages the Kentucky Geological Survey to partner with industry to share the cost of this important research. The Kentucky Consortium for Carbon Storage has been formed to accomplish this goal.

The University of Kentucky is one of only 20 university-led teams from around the world that has been selected to compete in the United States Department of Energy (DOE) 2009 Solar Decathlon. A biennial event, the Solar Decathlon brings together 20 teams in a competition to design, build and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house. Each team's house, which must measure approximately 800 square feet and use sunlight for power, is then assembled as part of a weeklong competition and exhibition in Washington, D.C. The houses are judged and scored during this period in 10 different areas related to design, energy efficiency, and comfort. An overall winner, considered to have the most energy-efficient and innovatively designed house, will be announced at the end of the event.

For more information about UK's project, see www.uky.edu/solarhouse.