Gas, groceries, and healthcare aren’t the only costs rising. Kentuckians are getting sticker shock when they open their utility bills. Utilities are up roughly 20% over the past five years. Some Kentuckians have seen utility bills rise by 40%. When we say it’s getting tougher than ever to keep the lights on, we’re not lying.
Much of the increase is due to the explosion of data centers popping up in our backyards, from big cities to rural communities. Data centers need to pay their fair share and stop passing along costs to Kentucky residents and small businesses. Yes, we’re going to stop building new data centers (more on that here), but we’re also going to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act and the Energy Bills Relief Act.
We’ll also protect and fight for Kentucky’s energy workers.
For generations, Kentucky has helped power the entire country. Our miners provided the coal that kept the lights on and fueled our homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals. We owe them so much,, and we need to keep our end of the bargain. We will protect miners’ pensions, health care, and Black Lung benefits they are owed. We’re going to fully fund the cleanup of abandoned mines, restore our land, and clean up our water.
We’re also going to embrace an all-of-the-above energy strategy to keep Kentucky powered for the next generation.
Read more about my plans for Lowering Energy Costs & Standing with Energy Workers