Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy
Commonwealth Agri-Energy Awarded Multi-County Agri-Energy Grant

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 21, 2010) - The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved the Commonwealth Agri-Energy LLC for $115,000 in Kentucky Agricultural Development Funds ($100,000 state / $10,000 Christian County  / $5,000 Todd County) and $100,000 in American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to reduce the amount of electricity required for the ethanol plant's cooling system. 

“Farming and energy are two keystones of Kentucky industry and its future, and can have a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Gov. Beshear. “With the help of the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund, we are positioning agriculture to be a leader in the development of alternative energy sources.”

This project will allow Quarry Lake water to be utilized as cooling water for the plant's cooling process systems.  This change in operations will result in significant energy savings, as well as cost savings in the plant’s operations.  Commonwealth Agri-Energy is 100 percent farmer-owned with 3,000 farmer members.

“Gov. Beshear’s Intelligent Energy Choices for Kentucky’s Future:  Kentucky’s 7-Point Energy Strategy emphasizes the importance of new strategies for producing and consuming energy,” said Roger Thomas, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy.  “Through various projects, such as this one, Kentucky agriculture is playing an important role in Kentucky’s energy strategy.”

The Multi-County Agricultural Energy Initiative is a program that encourages regional collaboration by providing a 1:1 match with ARRA funds and state Agricultural Development Funds for agriculturally related renewable energy projects.  This program is the result of the partnership between GOAP and the Department for Energy Development & Independence.

This project was one of the 15 proposals approved at the Kentucky Agricultural Development Board’s May business meeting.

For more information about this project, visit www.CommonwealthAgriEnergy.com or contact Mick Henderson with Commonwealth Agri-Energy LLC at (270) 475-4415 or mhenderson@kyethanol.com.

###

Governor Steve Beshear and the Kentucky Legislature continue to make great strides toward lessening Kentucky’s dependence on tobacco production while revitalizing the farm economy by investing 50 percent of Kentucky's Master Settlement Agreement into the Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund. 

The Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy provides a direct link between the Governor and one of the Commonwealth’s most important industries.  For more information about the Multi-County Energy Initiative, contact Bryan Thomas at (502) 564-4627, (502) 330-7023 or visit agpolicy.ky.gov. 

The mission  of the Department for Energy Development Independence (DEDI) is to improve the quality and security of life for all Kentuckians by creating efficient, sustainable energy solutions and strategies; by protecting the environment; and by creating a base for strong economic growth.  To learn more about DEDI visit www.energy.ky.gov. 

The Recovery Act signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009 includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.  For more information about what is being done with Kentucky’s ARRA funding visit kentuckyatwork.ky.gov.