Energizing Kentucky
Mark Green
Posted August 25, 2016
Energizing Kentucky
As the United States’ third-largest coal-producing state, Kentucky gets about 87 percent of its electricity from coal-fired generation. Yet natural gas use is growing. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, net electricity generation from natural gas has grown more than 460 percent in Kentucky since 2006. Electricity generation is now the state’s second-largest natural gas consuming sector.
Click on the thumbnail to view a two-page energy infographic for the Bluegrass State.
Kentucky ranks 25th among the states in oil production, more than 80 percent of it coming from marginal wells – wells that require a higher per-barrel price than other wells to be worth operating. In marginal well production, Kentucky ranks among the top 10 in the U.S. The state has two oil refineries with a combined operating capacity of about 245,500 barrels per day.
Kentucky plays an important role in our country’s overall energy picture, one that has seen the U.S. become the world leader in oil and natural gas production – increasing America’s energy security, boosting the economy and benefiting consumers. All are benefits of the U.S. energy renaissance.
To continue and expand the energy revolution, pro-development policies must be put in place. Page 2 of the infographic includes a chart showing the benefits of pro-energy policies in terms of output, jobs, economic growth and savings for consumers. The chart also shows the negative impacts of policies characterized by regulatory constraints.
Energy is essential for virtually every aspect of our daily lives. It powers national, state and local economies, gets us to work and goes into products we rely on for health and comfort. Safe, responsible energy development here at home is linked to national security as well as Americans’ individual prosperity and liberty – in Kentucky and all the 50 states of energy.
About The Author
Mark Green joined API after a career in newspaper journalism, including 16 years as national editorial writer for The Oklahoman in the paper’s Washington bureau. Previously, Mark was a reporter, copy editor and sports editor at an assortment of newspapers. He earned his journalism degree from the University of Oklahoma and master’s in journalism and public affairs from American University. He and his wife Pamela have two grown children and six grandchildren.