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SW: →East Kentucky Power Cooperative cancels Smith Plant, calls for renewables and energy efficiency=: - fix broken link
==East Kentucky Power Cooperative cancels Smith Plant, calls for renewables and energy efficiency===
On Nov. 18, 2010, the East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) entered into an agreement with [[Kentuckians for the Commonwealth]], [[Kentucky Environmental Foundation]], the [[Sierra Club]], three individual co-op members, the Kentucky attorney general, and Gallatin Steel (EKPC’s biggest industrial customer) to halt plans for EKPC's proposed [[Smith PlantStation]] by abandoning the permits needed to proceed with construction. The cooperative also committed $125,000 toward a collaborative effort in which the public interest groups, EKPC and member co-ops will work together to evaluate and recommend new [[energy efficiency]] programs and [[renewable energy]] options.<ref name=kftc>[http://www.kftc.org/press-room/2010-releases/ekpc-coal-plant-cancelled-in-favor-of-clean-energy "Coalition of ratepayers and public interest groups reach accord with EKPC"] Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, Nov. 18, 2010 Press Release.</ref>
According to Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, "a number of factors contributed to the decision to not to move forward with the proposed plants, including lower than expected demand for electricity, a moratorium imposed by the Bush Administration on low-cost federal loans for coal-burning power plants, and sharply rising costs associated with building and operating new coal plants. In June 2010, the Public Service Commission opened an investigation to determine if proceeding with the $819 million project was cost-effective and necessary. Studies commissioned by the public interest groups participating in this agreement concluded that a combination of clean energy technologies would be a cost-effective way to meet EKPC’s demand, while also reducing financial risk to customers, generating jobs throughout the region, and benefiting health and the environment."<ref name=kftc/>
