The non-regulatory nuclear authority was formed through legislation and tasked with laying the groundwork for a possible “nuclear energy ecosystem” in Kentucky – exploring what would be needed to create a nuclear sector and setting criteria for “nuclear-ready communities.”
Rodney Andrews is director of the UK Center for Applied Energy Research, where the authority will be housed. He said, while the board is still being assembled, preliminary talks are happening.
"We have been in discussions already with the company that is interested in locating a nuclear facility in Paducah, and we're doing that in order to determine what support we can provide to them that will help them in deciding to proceed with that project and do it in Kentucky," Andrews told a panel of lawmakers Friday.
Andrews said utilities and large energy consumers in the state are also showing interest.
While Gov. Andy Beshear unsuccessfully vetoed the bill creating the nuclear authority, he did so not out of opposition to expanding the state’s energy portfolio but rather due to the makeup of the board – much of which will be designated by private sector groups.
