Profits Over People Report

Profits Over People: How Kentucky's Legislature Has Undermined Energy Affordability

Over the past decade, the Kentucky General Assembly has repeatedly passed legislation that prioritizes utilities and corporations, often at the expense of ratepayers. While claiming to pursue affordable and reliable energy, recent policy trends tell a different story.

This report documents how bills that benefit powerful industry interests routinely advance, while those designed to protect households from high utility costs or promote clean energy stall. It shows how ratepayers, not corporations, bear the cost of policies that lock in outdated infrastructure, delay clean energy investments, and shield polluters from accountability.

Key findings from the report reveal:

• Kentucky ranks dead last in the country for wind and solar power.
• Building new solar is already cheaper than running existing coal plants in Kentucky.
• From 2019 to 2025, not a single one of the 25+ bills introduced to advance energy affordability or transparency passed into law.

The legislature has passed bills that mandate coal, fast-track crypto mining, and weaken solar incentives, forcing residents to shoulder higher costs.

It’s clear: the General Assembly’s recent legislative history has less to do with protecting Kentucky families and more to do with shielding utility profits. Explore the full report below to see what passed, what was blocked, and who is shaping our energy future.