Environmental Matters in the Commonwealth of Kentucky

In September 2007, East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), a coal-fired electric utility, agreed to pay an $11.4 million penalty over a six year period to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act’s acid rain program.  EKPC is a non-profit corporation and electrical generating utility headquartered in Kentucky. EKPC operates three coal-fired power plants in Kentucky. It is the highest fine ever under the Clean Air Act’s acid rain program.  The settlement requires that the company take steps to reduce approximately 400 tons of harmful emissions each year and offset another approximately 20,000 tons of air emissions.  U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Hood was the presiding judge in the case filed in the Eastern District of Kentucky.