On July 3rd, the Kentucky Lantern published an article describing how Kentucky Power’s decision to cut coal capacity directly contributed to failures during Winter Storm Elliot. Notable excerpts include:
The Kentucky PSC in its orders cited several planning failures related to the winter storm: Kentucky Power knew it had a power supply shortfall after exiting a contract on Dec. 8 that allowed it to buy power from the Rockport Generating Station, a coal-fired power plant in southern Indiana.
Kentucky Power also is seeking a rate increase. Kentucky Power filed an application Thursday that it says would increase the average residential customer’s bill by 18.3%, effective the start of next year….Kentucky Power also is seeking a rate increase. Kentucky Power filed an application Thursday that it says would increase the average residential customer’s bill by 18.3%, effective the start of next year.
Kentucky Power Vice President of Generating Assets Timothy Kerns in written testimony said both of Mitchell’s coal-fired power generation units had a power output of more than 75% during the December 2022 winter storm. Only small factors decreased its power output including existing federal and state regulations and frozen coal and slurry feed tanks.
Read the full article by Liam Niemeyer at: https://kentuckylantern.com/2023/07/03/state-regulator-threatens-kentucky-power-with-fines-for-2022-winter-storm-performance/
