Tom Taylor, senior policy analyst for Atlas Public Policy, the research firm behind the data, said while the state ranks 43rd in the nation for existing clean power, it ranks 20th for planned clean power capacity. The shift is in part driven by changes in federal programs.
Taylor added that over the next couple of years, almost all the new clean power in the Commonwealth will be driven by solar.
"Then even more strikingly is that when you stack it up against other states in terms of the ratio of planned clean power versus existing clean power, it ranks third in the country," Taylor reported.
Research shows transitioning to clean energy can reduce exposure to the particulate matter found in air pollution, lowering the risk of respiratory illness and premature death.
In Kentucky, Taylor explained the research shows clean power projects, including both future and current builds, represent about a $4 billion investment.
"Those are really significant investments around the state that will create economic opportunity," Taylor underscored. "Then some places, such as in southeast Kentucky, there's a particular solar project that's being built on a former coal mine in the state."
The shift to clean energy is expected to pay off for consumers. Nationwide, one in four low-income households currently spends more than 15% of their income on energy bills. The financial burden tends to be higher among Black and Hispanic households and among renters.
