Kentucky News Now – May 1st 2014

POWER PLANTS

KU, LG&E ask for delay on power plants request

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky Utilities Co. and Louisville Gas and Electric Co. say they want to delay a request to build a natural gas power plant in Muhlenberg County and a solar facility in Mercer County because nine municipal customers plan to cancel their wholesale power contracts with KU.

KU and LG&E say the cancellations are effective in 2019 and total approximately 320 megawatts of load. The companies asked the Kentucky Public Service Commission in January for approval for the two facilities.

The companies asked the PSC on Wednesday to delay the case for up to 90 days while it considers the effect of the termination notices.

The companies said potential loss of the nine customers won't affect service to the companies' remaining 1.2 million customers but could have an effect on the cost to serve the customers in the future.

MINE SAFETY

Mine safety workers could lose jobs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Some state mine safety workers could lose their jobs after the state Legislature cut the Office of Mine Safety and Licensing's budget.

Lawmakers approved a state budget earlier this month that cuts the agency's budget by 30 percent. Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said Wednesday he is considering layoffs as a way to cope with the budget cuts.

State House and Senate leaders said the budget cuts are justified because the number of coal mines in Kentucky has dropped to 283 from 626 in 2008.

State Energy and Environment Cabinet spokesman Dick Brown said the agency has 145 employees. Beshear said he will make a decision in the coming months after reviewing recommendations from cabinet officials.

BUFFALO TRACE-EXPANSION

Buffalo Trace breaks ground on expansion

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The Buffalo Trace Distillery has broken ground on an expansion that's the latest sign of growth in Kentucky's bourbon industry.

The more than $20 million project at the Frankfort distillery will add a new 83,000-square-foot warehouse center.

Buffalo Trace plans to add 40 new full-time jobs over the next two to three years.

The project is one of three expansions planned by parent company Sazerac. Other projects in the works are at the Glenmore Distillery in Owensboro and the Barton 1792 Distillery in Bardstown. Sazerac plans to invest more than $70 million in the three distilleries and create 110 new jobs.

Gov. Steve Beshear says the expansions show that the world's taste for bourbon is soaring.

Several of Kentucky's bourbon makers have expanded operations in recent years amid rising sales.

DRUG TAKE-BACK

State police collect 1,200 pounds of drugs

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky State Police's prescription drug take-back event has resulted in 1,200 pounds of prescription medications being turned in across the state.

Police say the program is an effort to let people dispose of unwanted or unused medications safely and without concern they will get into the wrong hands.

According to state police, studies indicate most abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends — even from the home medicine cabinet.

The event was held last Saturday.

BRIDGE DROP

State looking at how to quickly demolish bridge

LEDBETTER, Ky. (AP) — The Transportation Cabinet says officials are looking at ways to speed up demolition of an old bridge over the Tennessee River in western Kentucky where land at the base of the approach piers has slipped downhill.

Cabinet spokesman Keith Todd says the slippage caused two approach spans of the old Ledbetter Bridge between Paducah and Livingston County to drop 3 to 4 feet.

The bridge is no longer used for traffic and was replaced last year. But there was concern Wednesday about possible threat to river traffic, prompting the Coast Guard to shut down the river for a while. It reopened later Wednesday but the Coast Guard isn't allowing mariners to stop near the bridge.

The two-lane bridge opened to traffic in 1931.

The McCracken County Emergency Management Agency is monitoring the area.

LEGISLATURE SPECIAL SESSION

Gov. Beshear: Special session not likely

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear said Wednesday he likely would not call the legislature back for a special session to pass bills combating heroin use and overhauling state ethics laws.

Beshear told reporters he would only call the legislature back in session if Republican and Democratic leaders agreed to pass certain legislation. The governor said he did not sense an overwhelming desire for a special session after speaking with leaders from both parties.

Republican Senate President Robert Stivers has asked Beshear for a special session to pass the heroin bill. Democratic House Speaker Greg Stumbo has asked the governor for a special session to pass ethics reform following the Legislative Ethics Commission's decision to not punish a state lawmaker accused of sexual harassment.

TEACHER CHARGED

Central Ky. teacher charged with sex abuse

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (AP) — A central Kentucky high school teacher is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old student.

Police told media that 26-year-old Elizabeth Alexander was arrested Tuesday and charged with sex abuse and use of a minor in a sexual performance.

The Scott County school district's website has Alexander listed as a social studies teacher at Scott County High School.

Police and Scott County Schools released a joint statement saying the allegations are still being investigated. They declined further comment.

It wasn't immediately clear if Alexander has an attorney.