Kenergy, an electric distribution cooperative serving 14 western Kentucky counties, is exploring the opportunity to provide broadband services.
A Wednesday Facebook post by Kenergy reads in part, “Rural communities in Kentucky have suffered from a lack of reliable, high-speed internet availability for long enough. Let’s change that! The Rural Broadband Acceleration Act will expedite the availability of federal broadband funding and allow those planning to make high-speed broadband service available to thousands of rural communities to quickly start construction.”
Kenergy President and CEO Jeff Hohn said in a release there are several legislative and regulatory hurdles that must be cleared before the could provide the services.
Kenergy’s desire to provide broadband access emanates from the same factors that propelled the Rural Electrification Act into existence.
“For-profit electric utilities had little desire to extend electric service to sparsely populated areas,” a release from Kenergy reads. “As a result, Congress passed the Rural Electrification Act in 1936 to provide loans so cooperatives could form and distribute electricity to unserved areas. The nation’s broadband providers have followed a similar path. As a result, significant portions of Kenergy’s service territory have been left as in the dark to broadband as they were to electricity 80 years ago.”
Hohn said high-speed broadband can provide substantial value for communities.
“These benefits include greater availability to information, online learning opportunities, economic growth, and increased efficiency for our local businesses,” he said.
The cooperative is evaluating financing options and has filed a waiver with the Kentucky Public Service Commission. Kenergy will release more updates and details as they become available.
Those would like to send a letter of support for Kenergy to provide broadband services can contact the Kentucky Public Service Commission and reference “Case No. 2020-00215” in the subject line of an email to [email protected] or mail a letter to:
Kentucky Public Service Commission
211 Sower Boulevard
Frankfort, KY 40602
