The Kentucky Public Service Commission has opened an investigation of energy affordability statewide as utility prices continue to climb.
All of the state’s electric utilities and its five largest gas providers are included in the inquiry. The commission also welcomes public participation.
Senior energy organizer for the Sierra Club in Kentucky Elisa Owen says that organization intends to participate and is pleased with the commission's action.
“The order has laid out 16 different areas where they would like both utilities and intervenors to provide them with information,” she said. “So that's a pretty robust agenda.”
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet maintains an interactive map of average monthly electricity costs in the state’s 120 counties.
Those bills range from $183 a month to $245. The statewide average, $204 a month, is higher than the national average of $146.
“Because our wages are also lower and our incomes are lower in many counties,” Owen said, “we are, I believe, one of the highest energy burdened states in the nation.”
The commission announced the investigation in late August and asked participants to file a motion to intervene no later than Sept. 8.
