The company supports research on how to minimize the environmental impacts of our business. Examples of our leadership in environmental research and development include:

Solar Decathlon: A $250,000 Partnership with the University of Kentucky

With a $250,000 sponsorship, The company is shining some light on the University of Kentucky's efforts to build a "net-zero" energy use house for the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon competition. Dubbed "Solar Decathlon," the fourth biennial competition includes teams from 20 universities worldwide. Each 800 square-foot or less solar-powered house, built by the students on their home campus and then transported to the National Mall in Washington D.C.

The Decathlon gets its name from the 10 specific areas of competition: architecture, engineering, market viability, lighting design, communications, comfort, appliances, hot water, energy balance and home entertainment.




For more information on the UK Solar Decathlon house, see www.uky.edu/solarhouse.


Testing Geology for Carbon Storage in Kentucky

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced in June 2008 that the state is partnering with the newly created Western Kentucky Carbon Storage Foundation to advance the science of long-term carbon storage opportunities in the commonwealth.

LG&E and KU, Peabody Energy and ConocoPhillips formed the non-profit Foundation to work with the Kentucky Geological Survey in a project that includes drilling a well to test the Knox and Mount Simon geological formations at a site in Hancock County.


UK Center for Applied Energy Research

Donating $1.5 million between 2006 and 2008 to the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research to study technologies to reduce greenhouse gases.


SF₆ Monitoring and Control

Voluntarily participating in the USEPA's SF₆ Emission Reduction Partnership for Electric Power Systems program to monitor and control emissions of sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆), a gas linked to global climate change. The global warming potential of SF₆ is approximately 23,900 times greater than CO2. The company has identified and implemented cost-effective solutions to reduce SF₆ emissions by more than 15 percent, relative to 2005 baseline emissions. Our efforts to reduce SF₆ (2005-2006) are approximately equivalent to CO₂ emissions from one of the following:

• 2,040 passenger cars not being driven for one year


• 21,930 barrels of oil not used


• 2,420 households reducing electricity use by 50 percent for one year

EPRI CO₂ Capture and Storage Program

Membership in Electric Power Research Institute's (EPRI) CO₂ Capture and Storage Program and participating in their Transportable CO₂ Capture Pilot program that investigates methods to capture CO₂ from power plant flue gas and store it safely deep underground.


CoalFleet for Tomorrow Iinitiative

Joining, as a charter member, the CoalFleet for Tomorrow initiative sponsored by EPRI. This industry-led initiative accelerates the deployment and commercialization of clean, efficient, advanced coal power systems.