Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet

01/13/2023

Don't be afraid to !
https://eec.ky.gov/careers

01/13/2023

Creating a “Green Culture” at work can help your company reach its sustainability goals, as well as create a better working environment for you and your employees. Learn more about creating a “Green Culture” at work at https://greenbusinessbureau.com/blog/how-to-create-a-green-culture-and-engage-employees/. And we invite you to learn more about the KY EXCEL program, which promotes environmental stewardship and recognizes environmental leaders in the Commonwealth. https://bit.ly/Ky_EXCEL

01/12/2023

“Orphan well” capping reclaims closed part of Wildlife Management Area in Pulaski County

The Division of Oil and Gas (DOG) has identified and overseen the plugging of 18 wells on a wildlife area that had been closed to the public. As a result, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources will soon make available for public recreation more than 500 acres in the Rockcastle River Wildlife Management Area (WMA). Read more about this project in the latest edition of Land, Air and Water.

the Division of Oil and Gas (DOG) had identified and overseen the plugging of 18 wells on a wildlife area that had been closed to the public. Due to this, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildl…

01/11/2023

One of our favorites! 😉😆

Do American Robins migrate? It depends on whether they have enough food to get through the season! Read more about this species’ adaptive winter strategy here: https://abcbirds.org/blog20/do-robins-migrate/

Photo: American Robin by Kenneth Keifer/Shutterstock

01/11/2023

Federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves in the US, report says: 'Hidden hazard'

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/01/10/gas-stove-ban-us/11022254002/

The CPSC has been considering a ban on gas stoves since the fall. Pollutants emitted from them have been tied to asthma and other respiratory issues.

01/10/2023

Reducing Electricity Use and Costs

Today is National Cut Your Energy Costs Day! It's a great time to focus on reducing energy costs and improving energy efficiency. Learn how you can reduce your energy costs at https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/reducing-electricity-use-and-costs
In doing so, you're committing to be an environmental leader. Join others as a KY EXCEL member! Visit us at https://bit.ly/Ky_EXCEL or email us at [email protected].

Reducing energy use in your home saves you money, increases energy security, reduces pollution, and reduces the cost of home renewable energy systems.

01/10/2023

Protect Water Quality with an Agriculture Water Quality Plan

As farmers and foresters, we're entrusted to do all we can to protect and preserve our land and water resources for a healthier environment today and for future generations. One way to do that is by creating an agriculture water quality plan and applying the best management practices to control water runoff and erosion. Go to eec.ky.gov/agwater to learn more.
https://youtu.be/ikeGX73qUw0

As farmers and foresters, we're entrusted to do all we can to protect and preserve our land and water resources for a healthier environment today and for fut...

01/10/2023

Interested in learning more about nuclear energy development? Opportunity coming up! Here's the link: https://www.energyca.org/events U.S. Department of Energy City of Paducah Kentucky Government Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce American Nuclear Society

01/09/2023

Photos from Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves's post

01/09/2023

Perryville puts in handicap accessible picnic tables along Chaplin River - The Advocate-Messenger

Grant applications are now being accepted for crumb rubber and recycled tire projects in your community. Here's an example of how the city of Perryville utilized this opportunity to enhance their community and support recycling. Learn more at https://kydep.wordpress.com/ https://www.amnews.com/2023/01/06/perryville-puts-in-handicap-accessible-picnic-tables-along-chaplin-river/

STAFF REPORT The City of Perryville received a grant to put in new park benches and picnic tables along the Chaplin River downtown, including handicap accessible picnic tables. Grant writers Fire Chief Anthony Young and Mayor Carlos Miller had applied for a Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet Cr...

01/06/2023

Use your professional skills to make an impact on Kentucky’s environment. Our Division of Water is hiring an environmental engineer who will work to ensure Kentucky’s surface waters are protected. You’ll conduct technical reviews and analyze municipal wastewater treatment plant discharge applications, make technical assessments of permitting requirements for construction activities, carry out inspections of wastewater and stormwater systems, and provide technical assistance to those that are regulated by Kentucky’s environmental laws. Find out more at eec.ky.gov/careers.
Photo courtesy

01/06/2023

Grant applications are now being accepted for projects that develop recycling and composting infrastructure or offer education programs, and for household hazardous waste (HHW) collection events.

Local governments, solid waste management districts, public schools, universities and colleges are eligible to apply. Applications with regional projects are given priority. Each grant requires a 25 percent local match. More at https://kydep.wordpress.com/2023/01/05/division-of-waste-management-calls-for-grant-applications-5/

01/05/2023

For more details, visit eec.ky.gov/AirPublicNotices.

01/05/2023

The winter months are a great time to begin planning your vegetable garden. No matter how big your available space is, it will be helpful to draw out a diagram and decide what you will plant. Remember to practice crop rotation to avoid disease. Choose varieties that are adapted to your area. Read the seed packets or catalog description carefully and get your order in soon!
http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ID/ID128/ID128.pdf

01/04/2023

The Kentucky Division of Abandoned Mine Lands (DAML) will host an online workshop for those interested in applying for a grant through the Abandoned Mine Lands Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. The workshop will be held via Microsoft Teams on January 31, 2023, at 9 a.m. Eastern time. Anyone interested in applying for an AMLER grant in 2023 is encouraged to attend. Register for the workshop at https://bit.ly/AMLERGrantWorkshop
For additional information, visit https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Mining/Abandoned-Mine-Lands/Pages/AMLER_Program.aspx

01/04/2023

What’s the buzz about bees?

Check this out from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
🐝🐝Bees are tiny but incredible . How much do you know about them? Test you knowledge with our bee quiz 👉🏼https://bit.ly/3Nu49Zl

Let's look at these tiny but incredible and at the diverse range of beekeeping systems used around the world – and earn Bee Medals in the process! https://www.fao.org/resources/digital-reports/bees/en

01/04/2023

Contractors interested in Abandoned Mine Lands restoration projects can participate in a Contractor’s Workshop. You’ll learn more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding that AML has received and what that might mean for your business, the typical reclamation projects available, expectations of contractors, and the particulars of doing business with the Commonwealth. This will be an informal, open discussion with time for questions and answers. The workshop is expected to last approximately two hours. Register today at https://forms.gle/82QNPT3xcwH8JHM7A.

01/03/2023

The Office of the Reclamation Guaranty Fund (ORGF) is hiring a Program Coordinator who will work to ensure that financial resources are available when reclamation bonds are insufficient to complete restoration of a mine sites. You’ll serve as advisor to the executive director, coordinate the former voluntary bond pool program, the permit forfeitures and the bond forfeiture reimbursement programs, write new reclamation bonds, compose written communication, process actions to transfer funds to appropriate divisions, maintain bond forfeiture tracking data, report on bond forfeiture liability, and much more. Find out more at https://eec.ky.gov/careers.

01/03/2023

12 Top Tips for Feeding Birds in Winter

Some ideas before temps drop and snow falls again.

Cold weather and snow can be tough on birds but you can help your feathered friends by following these winter bird feeding tips.

01/03/2023

First Day Back to the Office

🤣🤣🤣

01/03/2023

Why not create some sustainable New Year’s resolutions this year that will benefit you and the world around you? Here are 7 easy-to-implement ideas to get you started.

Taking steps toward more sustainable choices is a great way to be an environmental leader. To learn more about Kentucky’s Environmental Leadership Program, KY EXCEL, visit us at bit.ly/Ky_EXCEL, or email us at [email protected].

12/29/2022

Making sure the reclamation of abandoned coal mines is addressed, regardless of the financial status of the company, is paramount. In July of 2019, Revelation Energy, LLC, et al. filed for federal bankruptcy protection in West Virginia. At the time of filing, the companies held over 200 coal mining permits in Kentucky. A surety reclamation agreement (SRA) was obtained with a financial guarantor, Indemnity National Insurance Company, to ensure these properties are properly reclaimed, saving the commonwealth many millions of dollars. In all, 31 permits will be reclaimed, including nearly 22,000 feet of highwall and approximately 6,800 acres in eastern Kentucky. By the end of calendar year 2027, all permits are scheduled to be reclaimed.

12/29/2022

Starting Jan. 1, 2023, if you own or rent more than one property in Kentucky, you will begin paying 6% sales tax on utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, and other services) for any property that is not your primary residence. Get all the facts athttps://eec.ky.gov/Energy/Documents/utility%20sales%20tax%20Fact%20Sheet%20final.pdf

12/28/2022

On this day in 1973, the became law. From plants, lichens, moths, butterflies, bats, mussels and fish, the Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves works in cooperation w/ USFWS Southeast Region to monitor, manage, protect and restore federally listed and at risk populations in Kentucky 🐟🪳🐢🦎🌱🦋
https://eec.ky.gov/Nature-Preserves/Pages/default.aspx

12/28/2022

Natural Areas Branch Technician Duties: Prescribed Fire.

Natural Areas Branch Technician Duties: Prescribed Fire.

Join our team! Natural Areas Branch Technicians travel across the state and work in protecting rare species and important ecological communities in Kentucky....

12/24/2022

A message from LG&E/KU

Extreme cold and pressures on the regional grid are resulting in scattered power outages and we need our customers' help by reducing energy consumption.

Our team is working diligently to help minimize extended impacts to our customers and as part of those efforts, we are performing brief service interruptions in intervals across our service territories.

While the outage durations will vary, we are targeting about 30 minutes.

We appreciate our customers' patience and their energy conservation efforts.
Simple actions like turning down your thermostat to the lowest comfortable setting and turning off all unnecessary lights (including holiday lights) can help.

As always, but especially in times of extreme cold, our employees are working around the clock to ensure safe, reliable service to our customers and the communities we serve.

12/24/2022

Most Kentucky utilities are taking actions by requesting customers to conserve electricity by implementing some simple measures especially during morning and evening peak usages.
- Lower thermostats by just one or two degrees – public safety is of utmost importance during dangerously cold weather, so don’t make big adjustments, but every degree can help save on future power bills.
- Delay doing laundry or running a dishwasher until the warmest part of the day, and turn off unnecessary lights and electronics.
- When the sun is out, open window coverings on the sunny side of homes and offices, but close window coverings at night and when the sun isn’t brightly shining.

12/22/2022

Timeline photos

12/22/2022

Gov. Beshear Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Arctic Front,Flash Freeze

Due to impending inclement weather Governor Beshear is closing all state office buildings Thursday, December 22, 2022, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (EST). Executive Branch agencies will continue to provide services to the citizens of the Commonwealth. View the Governor's full press release, which includes other weather preparedness information below.

Governor warns residents of dangerous temperatures,road conditions ahead of Christmas holiday weekend; price gouging law implemented

12/21/2022

Build A Kit | Ready.gov

Being prepared for a disaster or weather emergency means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. A disaster supplies kit is a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency. Make sure your emergency kit is stocked with essentials. Learn more and find a checklist at

These resources teach you to build an emergency kit filled with the items you need to survive on your own for several days after a disaster. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for sever...

12/21/2022

Reducing Your Pollution Impact Over the Holidays

Unfortunately, many common holiday traditions have the potential to increase the amount of pollution we release into the environment. Check out these tips for reducing waste during the holidays.

The holidays are about spending time with friends and family, giving thanks, and wrapping up the year. Unfortunately, many common holiday traditions have the potential to increase the amount of pol…

12/21/2022

Former Eastern KY mine land could be a solution to housing crisis. Is it feasible?

Eastern Kentucky residents displaced by fatal floods over the summer say there are extremely limited affordable housing options left. Now state and local officials are looking to reclaimed mine land as a place of possibility.

12/20/2022

's Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet enjoyed some well-deserved holiday cheer during an afternoon holiday train and friendly competition, ugly sweater contest [proceeds of which went to Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign (KECC)], and a special visit from Santa. Congrats to the Division of Water, for their Water-ritaville with mocktails, fishing for kids, tiki bar, waterfall entrance and the island sounds of the division's musically-talented staff.
Also receiving honors for the theme that best reflected their agency’s mission was the Lab and DEP Commissioner’s Office featuring PFAS-Free water, lab rats, “superfun” soil, Petri mac and cheese, landfill leachate, and a Chemistree.
Share your photos of today in the comments, !

12/20/2022

Dangerously cold temperatures are predicted for much of the country this week. heating is the 2nd leading cause of home fires? Heat your home safely with these tips. Share this so others can stay safe too! U.S. Fire Administration

12/19/2022

Photos from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's post

12/19/2022

Glad to see these repairs!

12/19/2022

10 Tips to Get Your House Ready for Winter - Consumer Reports

Winter Solstice officially begins Wednesday and it looks like Old Man Winter is making an impressive arrival. If you haven't prepared your home, get going now! Here are a few tips to consider before frigid temperatures arrive.

Single-digit temperatures and freezing water can wreak havoc on your house and yard. Consumer Reports has 10 key tips for getting your house ready for winter.

12/15/2022

In August, Gov. Beshear announced a $25 million grant to plug orphan oil and gas wells across the commonwealth. Money comes from the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The initiative is expected to create 180 jobs. Since the grant announcement, 145 wells have been plugged, with initial priority given to wells prone to leakage. By the end of 2022, the commonwealth plans to have contracts in place to plug a total of 680-700 abandoned wells.

12/15/2022

(Please share!) We're hiring a team of technicians to help manage our natural areas across the state (6-9 month positions). Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves protects some of the last remaining expanses of intact, high-quality ecosystems in Kentucky. Your efforts will aid in the protection of rare species and the restoration of important ecological communities throughout the state. If you love to travel, work outdoors in a natural setting, and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, join our team! Best perk of the job- getting paid to hike at the coolest natural areas in the state.
Duties include:
• Be a part of OKNP’s prescribed fire crew
• Nature Preserve’s trail maintenance & construction
• Property boundary marking & patrolling
• Brush & tree removal
• Invasive species management
• Equipment maintenance
• General upkeep of preserve parking areas
• Providing work reports
How to Apply: Interested individuals should send an electronic copy of your resume to [email protected]. Contact Josh Lillpop with any questions at (502) 782-7830 or by email

12/15/2022

Photos from Office of Kentucky Nature Preserves's post