Energy Efficiency

Investments in energy efficiency – including better insulation and more efficient heating and cooling systems – are the best source of cheap energy in Kentucky. A Kentucky-specific study states that these measures cost about 3.2 cents on average for every kilowatt-hour of energy they save. For comparison, the retail price of electricity in Kentucky is about 8 cents per kilowatt hour. At a minimum, all state growth in energy demand through 2017 can be met through improved energy efficiency (Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center).

Reports and Resources

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy: aceee.org/.

Chandler, Sharon and Marylin Brown, "Meta-Review of Efficiency Potential Studies and Their Implications for the South" (August 2009): www.spp.gatech.edu/faculty/workingpapers/wp51.pdf

Kentucky Pollution Prevention Center, “An Overview of Kentucky’s Energy Consumption and Energy Efficiency Potential”  (August 2007):  www.energy.ky.gov/dre3/efficiency/

Kentucky Rural Energy Consortium. "25 x '25 Roadmap for Kentucky" (2008). louisville.edu/kppc/krec contains a link the report.

Metropolitan Housing Coalition. "2008 State of Metropolitan (Louisville) Housing Report - a Focus on Utility Costs and Energy Efficiency": metropolitanhousing.org/index.cfm?article_id=205&CFID=1121494&CFTOKEN=10841828

Meyer, Peter B. "Options for Protecting Kentuckians Well-Being in the Face of Energy Cost Increases." (October 2008)  Click here to access.

Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance, “Energy Efficiency in Appalachia: How Much More is Available, at What Cost, and by When?” (March 2009): http://www.arc.gov/assets/research_reports/EnergyEfficiencyinAppalachia.pdf