Renewable Energy in Kentucky

Kentucky

Renewable energy is produced from naturally replenishing sources, such as wind, sun, water, biomass (plants, wood, or waste) or heat (geothermal energy), and is used to generate electricity. Renewable energy is the fastest-growing energy source in the United States, increasing 42% between 2010 and 2020. In 2022, renewable energy generation in the U.S. surpassed coal for the first time. Much of the recent growth in renewable energy is driven by record-high solar and wind energy production. Domestic solar energy generation is anticipated to expand 75% by 2025, according to 2022 projections, while wind energy is expected to increase 11%.

Unlike fossil fuels, renewable energy comes from clean sources and reduces carbon emissions and air pollution. Generating electricity from clean, sustainable and affordable energy sources can improve health outcomes by reducing air and water pollutants emitted by coal and natural gas plants.

Implementing policies at the state level that support producers of preferred energy sources (wind or solar) can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector. Strategies to increase renewable energy production include:

• Financing efficiency upgrades and electrification in buildings.
• Investing in new technologies to reduce emissions associated with construction for high-performance buildings.
• Supporting early markets for low- and zero-carbon products.
• Incentivizing low-carbon innovation to lower the financial burden of energy transition. 
• Keeping jobs local and training workers in new roles.
• Encouraging more green alternatives (e.g., biomass boilers, heat pumps, compressed natural gas, geothermal heating, solar panels) for home heating systems.

Several federal financial incentive programs for renewable energy exist, including the Renewable Electricity Production Tax Credit and the Residential Clean Energy Credit.

Healthy People 2030 has multiple objectives focused on promoting healthier environments, including: 

• Reducing the number of days people are exposed to unhealthy air. 
• Reducing toxic airborne emissions.
• Increasing the use of public transportation among commuters.

Bashir, Muhammad Farhan, Muhammad Sadiq, Besma Talbi, Luqman Shahzad, and Muhammad Adnan Bashir. “An Outlook on the Development of Renewable Energy, Policy Measures to Reshape the Current Energy Mix, and How to Achieve Sustainable Economic Growth in the Post COVID-19 Era.” Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29, no. 29 (June 2022): 43636–47. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20010-w.

Farghali, Mohamed, Ahmed I. Osman, Israa M. A. Mohamed, Zhonghao Chen, Lin Chen, Ikko Ihara, Pow-Seng Yap, and David W. Rooney. “Strategies to Save Energy in the Context of the Energy Crisis: A Review.” Environmental Chemistry Letters 21, no. 4 (August 2023): 2003–39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-023-01591-5.

IRENA. “Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2020.” Abu Dhabi: International Renewable Energy Agency, 2021. https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2021/Jun/IRENA_Power_Generation_Costs_2020.pdf?rev=c9e8dfcd1b2048e2b4d30fef671a5b84.