Kentucky Public Service Commission Approves LG&E/KU's Applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity

Strategic Insights -

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company's (KU) applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the construction of two approximately 645 megawatt (MW) net summer rating natural gas combined cycle combustion turbine (NGCC) facilities and a 400 MW, 4-hour (1600 megawatt hour (MWh)) lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) facility. The commission also granted KU's motion to consolidate Case No. 2025-00105 with this proceeding.

The commission established a procedural schedule to ensure the orderly processing of this matter, which includes deadlines for intervention requests, supplemental requests for information, intervenor testimony, and LG&E/KU's rebuttal testimony. The public hearing is scheduled to be held on August 4, 2025, in the Richard Raff Hearing Room at the offices of the Public Service Commission.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) has approved Louisville Gas and Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company's (KU) applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
  • The commission approved the construction of two approximately 645 MW NGCC facilities and a 400 MW, 4-hour (1600 MWh) BESS facility.
  • The commission granted KU's motion to consolidate Case No. 2025-00105 with this proceeding.
  • The commission established a procedural schedule for the processing of this matter, including deadlines for intervention requests, supplemental requests for information, intervenor testimony, and LG&E/KU's rebuttal testimony.
  • The public hearing is scheduled to be held on August 4, 2025, in the Richard Raff Hearing Room at the offices of the PSC.
  • The commission has also appointed a consultant to review KU's amended environmental compliance plan.
  • The consultant will send its invoices to the commission for review and payment, and KU will reimburse the commission for the amount of the invoice within 30 days.

Statistics:

  • Two approximately 645 MW NGCC facilities will be constructed.
  • A 400 MW, 4-hour (1600 MWh) BESS facility will also be constructed.
  • The commission will spend $X on consulting services to review KU's amended environmental compliance plan (source: Order, Ky. PSC May 14, 2025).
  • The consultant's invoices and proof of payments will be entered into the record of Case No. 2025-00045.

Sources:

  • Order (Ky. PSC May 14, 2025)
  • Order (Ky. PSC Mar. 13, 2025)
  • Application of LG&E/KU for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (filed Feb. 28, 2025)
  • Motion of KU to Consolidate Proceedings, Incorporate by Reference, and Grant Intervention (filed Apr. 30, 2025)