Governor Steve Beshear's Communications Office
KET awarded Green Bank of Kentucky loan

Loan will provide energy efficient improvements for network center in Lexington

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Gov. Steve Beshear today announced that Kentucky Educational Television’s (KET) network center in Lexington has been awarded a loan of more than $1.8 million from the Green Bank of Kentucky program.  With the low-interest loan, KET will implement energy efficiency and conservation measures.  The money saved through reductions in energy and utility costs will be used to repay the loan.

“By partnering with the Green Bank of Kentucky program, KET demonstrates that when we save on energy costs, those dollars can be shifted to fund our state’s critical needs, such as education,” Gov. Beshear said.  “The Green Bank helps state agencies save valuable dollars and improve their efficiency while also creating jobs by means of education, engineering analyses and building improvements.”

KET will implement several cost-cutting efficiencies. Key updates include new, high efficiency boilers along with an innovative heat recovery system that will transfer heat generated in the studios and server rooms back into the heating system; state-of-the-art HVAC controls; high-efficiency light fixtures and occupancy sensors; and new water fixtures estimated to reduce annual water usage by approximately 50,000 gallons. Combined, these and other energy-saving measures made possible by this loan will cut KET’s annual energy consumption nearly in half.

“While we fully anticipated there would be several areas in which to address energy efficiency at KET, the projected savings of these improvements are far greater than any of us could have hoped for,” said Shae Hopkins, KET executive director and chief executive officer. “We are extremely grateful to the Governor and this program for presenting the opportunity to do our part for both the environment and the economy. Now, more of our resources will be directed toward the valued services we provide to Kentucky homes and classrooms.”

Gov. Steve Beshear announced the launch of the Green Bank of Kentucky in September 2009.  Administered by the Finance and Administration Cabinet, the program’s mission is to promote energy efficiency in state buildings through competition for low-interest loans to reduce operating costs and energy use, protect the environment, save taxpayer dollars, promote economic development and create new green collar jobs.

“As usual, KET is setting a great example for other state or publicly owned entities in our Commonwealth,” said Jonathan Miller, secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet.  “The Green Bank of Kentucky offers state buildings the ability to implement energy efficient improvements at no cost to the taxpayer and a long-term savings of tax dollars.”

The Green Bank emerged from the Governor’s comprehensive energy plan, “Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future,” which established the goal of reducing projected statewide energy demand by 25 percent by 2025 through multiple strategies, including energy-efficiency measures.

The Green Bank is funded by federal stimulus dollars through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) administers the funds it receives from the federal Department of Energy to operate the program. The Green Bank files monthly fiscal and programmatic reports with EEC.

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