Energy behind Senate Bill 179 sends proposal to the state House of Representatives
FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 21, 2025)—In a continued effort to position Kentucky as a leader in nuclear energy, Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, introduced, Senate Bill (SB) 179 to establish a grant program within the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) to advance and attract nuclear energy-related projects across the commonwealth.
On Friday, the Senate approved the bill unanimously, sending it to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
The bill sets aside $10 million from existing appropriations to the University of Kentucky for grant funding. KNEDA will be responsible for promoting the grants, accepting applications, and overseeing distribution. A subcommittee of advisory board members will administer the awards.
“Nuclear energy is a critical component of Kentucky’s long-term energy strategy,” Carroll said. “This legislation ensures that our state remains competitive in this rapidly growing sector by providing direct support for nuclear innovation and development.”
By leveraging strategic funding, SB 179 positions Kentucky to compete with other states pursuing nuclear energy investments and reinforces the state’s commitment to a diverse, reliable, and forward-thinking energy portfolio.