Curtis Tate
@tatecurtis.bsky.social
Energy & environment reporter, West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Son & grandson of immigrants. Dog dad. Rail enthusiast. He/him.
Reposted by Curtis Tate
East Kentucky Power will accept a lower rate increase under a settlement with Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
East Kentucky Power, state attorney general reach settlement in rate case
East Kentucky Power will accept a lower rate increase under a settlement with Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office, Coleman announced Tuesday.
www.weku.org
November 25, 2025 at 7:38 PM
East Kentucky Power will accept a lower rate increase under a settlement with Attorney General Russell Coleman’s office. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Worker killed at West Virginia coal mine in early November was pinned by a supply car, MSHA says. Preliminary report was delayed by the 43-day government shutdown. www.weku.org/the-commonwe...
Coal miner killed in West Virginia was pinned by mine supply car, report says
A report from the federal government reveals more details about how a coal miner died in West Virginia earlier this month.
www.weku.org
November 25, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Worker killed at West Virginia coal mine in early November was pinned by a supply car, MSHA says. Preliminary report was delayed by the 43-day government shutdown. www.weku.org/the-commonwe...
The Kentucky PSC is holding three hearings on Kentucky Power's rate case in the company's service territory. I believe the commission did this for the LG&E-KU rate case as well. I don't recall the West Virginia PSC doing that during Appalachian Power's recent case.
November 21, 2025 at 8:58 PM
The Kentucky PSC is holding three hearings on Kentucky Power's rate case in the company's service territory. I believe the commission did this for the LG&E-KU rate case as well. I don't recall the West Virginia PSC doing that during Appalachian Power's recent case.
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Kentucky produced 24.3 million tons of coal last year, down 14% from 2023. Kentucky ranked first among states in coal production for much of the 1970s and 1980s, but is now ranked seventh. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Kentucky coal production fell 14% in 2024, mines now under 100
Kentucky’s coal production plummeted in 2024, and the number of mines in the state dropped below 100.
www.weku.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Kentucky produced 24.3 million tons of coal last year, down 14% from 2023. Kentucky ranked first among states in coal production for much of the 1970s and 1980s, but is now ranked seventh. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Kentucky was once the nation's No. 1 coal producer. Last year, it fell to seventh place. Production slid 14%. And the number of mines fell to 90 from 112. Yet the state relied on coal for 67% of its electricity. www.weku.org/2025-11-20/k...
Kentucky coal production fell 14% in 2024, mines now under 100
Kentucky’s coal production plummeted in 2024, and the number of mines in the state dropped below 100.
www.weku.org
November 20, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Kentucky was once the nation's No. 1 coal producer. Last year, it fell to seventh place. Production slid 14%. And the number of mines fell to 90 from 112. Yet the state relied on coal for 67% of its electricity. www.weku.org/2025-11-20/k...
FERC dismissed a complaint from the Kentucky AG and PSC chair that Kentucky Power customers are paying for transmission investments that don't benefit them. The AG and PSC chair will appeal. kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/19/s...
Kentucky officials will appeal decision they say is unfair to Kentucky Power ratepayers • Kentucky Lantern
State officials will appeal the dismissal of a complaint alleging Kentucky Power customers were unfairly covering the costs of transmission in other states.
kentuckylantern.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:43 PM
FERC dismissed a complaint from the Kentucky AG and PSC chair that Kentucky Power customers are paying for transmission investments that don't benefit them. The AG and PSC chair will appeal. kentuckylantern.com/2025/11/19/s...
Reposted by Curtis Tate
The chair of the Kentucky Public Service Commission asked Kentucky Power executives to explain to electricity customers why they need to pay higher utility bills for a coal plant in West Virginia. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
‘What’s the bright spot?’ PSC chair asks Kentucky Power about coal plant costs
www.weku.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:24 PM
The chair of the Kentucky Public Service Commission asked Kentucky Power executives to explain to electricity customers why they need to pay higher utility bills for a coal plant in West Virginia. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Reposted by Curtis Tate
A coal miner was killed at a West Virginia mine earlier this month. The mine is owned by Alliance Resource Partners, which is led and owned by Joe and Kelly Craft of Kentucky. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
A Coal miner was killed at a West Virginia mine owned by Joe and Kelly Craft
www.weku.org
November 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM
A coal miner was killed at a West Virginia mine earlier this month. The mine is owned by Alliance Resource Partners, which is led and owned by Joe and Kelly Craft of Kentucky. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
A split over the Mitchell plant: Kentucky’s industrial customers signed on to a settlement agreement with Kentucky Power. The AG’s office, though it supports investment in the plant past 2028, only won’t oppose the settlement. And the Sierra Club doesn’t agree to the settlement x.com/tatecurtis/s...
Curtis L. Tate 🤷♂️ on X: "https://t.co/Kz3bAJ7lFv" / X
https://t.co/Kz3bAJ7lFv
x.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:37 PM
A split over the Mitchell plant: Kentucky’s industrial customers signed on to a settlement agreement with Kentucky Power. The AG’s office, though it supports investment in the plant past 2028, only won’t oppose the settlement. And the Sierra Club doesn’t agree to the settlement x.com/tatecurtis/s...
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Once rivals in their 2007 contest for the state's top office, former Kentucky Governors Steve Beshear and Ernie Fletcher exchange praises at a chamber conference event. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Once Rivals, Former Kentucky Governors Beshear And Fletcher Exchange Praises
www.weku.org
November 13, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Once rivals in their 2007 contest for the state's top office, former Kentucky Governors Steve Beshear and Ernie Fletcher exchange praises at a chamber conference event. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Other folks have said it, but let me just note that:
(1) lots of talented, must-read journalists have been let go from their jobs over the last year
(2) millions of Americans are abandoning current media outlets and looking for new alternatives
Seems like a sure-fire business opportunity here?
(1) lots of talented, must-read journalists have been let go from their jobs over the last year
(2) millions of Americans are abandoning current media outlets and looking for new alternatives
Seems like a sure-fire business opportunity here?
November 12, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Other folks have said it, but let me just note that:
(1) lots of talented, must-read journalists have been let go from their jobs over the last year
(2) millions of Americans are abandoning current media outlets and looking for new alternatives
Seems like a sure-fire business opportunity here?
(1) lots of talented, must-read journalists have been let go from their jobs over the last year
(2) millions of Americans are abandoning current media outlets and looking for new alternatives
Seems like a sure-fire business opportunity here?
Good to see that LPM published my most recent OVEC story, finished before I left West Virginia. If you’re a customer of LG&E or Kentucky Utilities, you’ve been on the hook for the losses at these two 70-year-old coal plants in Ohio and Indiana. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...
Unprofitable out-of-state coal plants costing Kentucky electricity customers
Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities customers. They’ve approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data cent...
www.lpm.org
November 12, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Good to see that LPM published my most recent OVEC story, finished before I left West Virginia. If you’re a customer of LG&E or Kentucky Utilities, you’ve been on the hook for the losses at these two 70-year-old coal plants in Ohio and Indiana. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for LG&E/KU customers. They’ve approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data centers. Customers may not have known about the hidden cost they’re paying for two coal plants. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...
Unprofitable out-of-state coal plants costing Kentucky electricity customers
Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities customers. They’ve approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data centers. Customers may not have known about the hidden cost they’re paying for two coal plants.
www.lpm.org
November 11, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for LG&E/KU customers. They’ve approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data centers. Customers may not have known about the hidden cost they’re paying for two coal plants. www.lpm.org/news/2025-11...
Reposted by Curtis Tate
An energy analyst told the Kentucky Public Service Commission in a filing last week that it should reject Kentucky Power’s plan to keep its half of a West Virginia coal plant past 2028, saying it's too costly for customers. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social of @weku.bsky.social
Repairing Mitchell Plant Is Too Costly For Kentucky Power Customers, Expert Says
www.weku.org
November 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
An energy analyst told the Kentucky Public Service Commission in a filing last week that it should reject Kentucky Power’s plan to keep its half of a West Virginia coal plant past 2028, saying it's too costly for customers. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social of @weku.bsky.social
This story follows me wherever I go. This time, with expert testimony that repairing or replacing Mitchell’s structurally compromised cooling tower would cost more than refueling the existing plant with natural gas.
wvpublic.org/story/energy...
wvpublic.org/story/energy...
Repairing Mitchell Plant Is Too Costly For Kentucky Power Customers, Expert Says - West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The Kentucky Public Service Commission should reject Kentucky Power’s plan to keep its half of the Mitchell plant past 2028 according to Devi Glick, an energy analyst with Synapse Energy Economics sai...
wvpublic.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
This story follows me wherever I go. This time, with expert testimony that repairing or replacing Mitchell’s structurally compromised cooling tower would cost more than refueling the existing plant with natural gas.
wvpublic.org/story/energy...
wvpublic.org/story/energy...
Two former Kentucky governors and political rivals, Steve Beshear and Ernie Fletcher, shared the stage at the Kentucky Chamber’s luncheon in Lexington today.
November 10, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Two former Kentucky governors and political rivals, Steve Beshear and Ernie Fletcher, shared the stage at the Kentucky Chamber’s luncheon in Lexington today.
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Reminder that 10x (and growing) as many people in Kentucky work in the renewable energy space kentuckylantern.com/2025/10/01/k...
Kentucky adds clean energy jobs but Trump policies threaten continued growth, says report • Kentucky Lantern
Clean energy jobs continued to grow in Kentucky last year, according to an annual report focusing on the economic impact of such jobs.
kentuckylantern.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Reminder that 10x (and growing) as many people in Kentucky work in the renewable energy space kentuckylantern.com/2025/10/01/k...
Reposted by Curtis Tate
The number of workers employed in Kentucky coal mines fell below 3,800 in the second quarter, the lowest total on record. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Kentucky Coal Employment Slumps to Record Low In 2nd Quarter
Employment in the Kentucky coal industry drops to record lows
www.weku.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:13 PM
The number of workers employed in Kentucky coal mines fell below 3,800 in the second quarter, the lowest total on record. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social at @weku.bsky.social
Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet data shows statewide coal employment fell below 3,800 in the second quarter, the lowest level on record. The slump is most pronounced in eastern Kentucky.
www.weku.org/the-commonwe...
www.weku.org/the-commonwe...
Kentucky Coal Employment Slumps to Record Low In 2nd Quarter
Employment in the Kentucky coal industry drops to record lows
www.weku.org
November 6, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Kentucky's Energy and Environment Cabinet data shows statewide coal employment fell below 3,800 in the second quarter, the lowest level on record. The slump is most pronounced in eastern Kentucky.
www.weku.org/the-commonwe...
www.weku.org/the-commonwe...
Reposted by Curtis Tate
You can't make this up.
November 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
You can't make this up.
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Kentucky's first — and, thus far, only — woman governor has died.
Martha Layne Collins was 88.
One of Collins’ most enduring achievements was luring Toyota to Georgetown, a move that created thousands of jobs and has had a lasting economic impact on the region.
Martha Layne Collins was 88.
One of Collins’ most enduring achievements was luring Toyota to Georgetown, a move that created thousands of jobs and has had a lasting economic impact on the region.
Martha Layne Collins, KY’s first woman governor & Toyota dealmaker, dies at 88
One of Collins’ biggest achievements in office was luring a Toyota plant to Georgetown, a move that created thousands of jobs in the region.
www.kentucky.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Kentucky's first — and, thus far, only — woman governor has died.
Martha Layne Collins was 88.
One of Collins’ most enduring achievements was luring Toyota to Georgetown, a move that created thousands of jobs and has had a lasting economic impact on the region.
Martha Layne Collins was 88.
One of Collins’ most enduring achievements was luring Toyota to Georgetown, a move that created thousands of jobs and has had a lasting economic impact on the region.
Reposted by Curtis Tate
A new Kentucky Public Service Commission order set rates & terms for future data center customers of East Kentucky Power Cooperative, which serves 89 counties. It would give the regulator final approval on data center contracts & encourages transparency with the community where they locate. #kyga26
Kentucky regulators approve power co-ops’ rates, terms for future data centers
The Kentucky Public Service Commission set rates and terms for future data center customers of East Kentucky Power Cooperative, which serves 89 counties.
www.lpm.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Two aging, unprofitable out-of-state coal plants are costing Kentucky electricity customers with higher bills. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social
Unprofitable Out-Of-State Coal Plants Costing Kentucky Electricity Customers - West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Behind the rates paid by the companies’ customers is a hidden cost that doesn’t show up on their bills. Customers receive electricity from two aging, out-of-state coal plants that lose a lot of money.
wvpublic.org
October 31, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Two aging, unprofitable out-of-state coal plants are costing Kentucky electricity customers with higher bills. From @tatecurtis.bsky.social
Not sure whether to call this my last story for West Virginia or my first story for Kentucky. Let’s say it’s both. I extended my previous scrutiny of what two aging, unprofitable coal plants in Indiana and Ohio was costing Appalachian Power customers to LG&E and KU. wvpublic.org/story/energy...
Unprofitable Out-Of-State Coal Plants Costing Kentucky Electricity Customers - West Virginia Public Broadcasting
Behind the rates paid by the companies’ customers is a hidden cost that doesn’t show up on their bills. Customers receive electricity from two aging, out-of-state coal plants that lose a lot of money.
wvpublic.org
October 31, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Not sure whether to call this my last story for West Virginia or my first story for Kentucky. Let’s say it’s both. I extended my previous scrutiny of what two aging, unprofitable coal plants in Indiana and Ohio was costing Appalachian Power customers to LG&E and KU. wvpublic.org/story/energy...
Reposted by Curtis Tate
Kentucky Public Radio spoke with food banks across the state bracing for a surge in clients ahead of the Nov. 1 suspension of federal food assistance www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...
Kentucky food pantries call for community support ahead of SNAP cliff
Kentucky Public Radio spoke with food banks across the state bracing for a surge in clients ahead of the Nov. 1 suspension of federal food assistance.
www.lpm.org
October 30, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Kentucky Public Radio spoke with food banks across the state bracing for a surge in clients ahead of the Nov. 1 suspension of federal food assistance www.lpm.org/news/2025-10...