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Officials say Grid Resilience grants will fund park utility upgrades and save about $10 million
Summary
Energy and Environment Cabinet officials told the House subcommittee that Grid Resilience Grant Funds are being used to bring utility systems at Kenlake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village State Park up to safety code, allow West Kentucky RECC to assume maintenance, and that using grant funds saved the Parks about $10 million; construction depends on final work orders.
Officials from the Energy and Environment Cabinet told the House Budget Review Subcommittee on Jan. 14 that Grid Resilience Grant Funds are being used to make utility upgrades at state parks and to coordinate handoff of distribution systems to local utilities.
Kenya Stump, Executive Director of the Office of Energy Policy, told members that the funding allocated to Kenlake State Park and Kentucky Dam Village State Park will be sufficient to bring the systems up to safety code and improve service so West Kentucky RECC could take over maintenance without shifting costs to its other ratepayers. Stump said agreements are imminent and that construction can begin in the first quarter once those agreements are finalized.
Stump said the Department of Parks has received separate appropriations for utility upgrades at multiple park locations, and that to determine the status of those appropriations inquiries should be directed to the Parks Department. She said that by using Grid Resilience Grant Funds to assist Parks with Kenlake and Kentucky Dam Village State Park, the Office of Energy Policy has saved the Parks approximately $10 million while maximizing the appropriations available for other uses.
Representative Josh Bray asked about the status of other park upgrades; Director Stump said those questions should be directed to the Department of Parks for site-specific updates. Chair Representative Chris Fugate asked about delays; Stump responded that current delays are related to Parks finalizing work orders with West Kentucky RECC, indicating that project starts are contingent on interagency agreements.
The subcommittee received the information but did not vote on any measure related to the grants during the meeting. Members set the next meeting for Jan. 21, 2026.
