Kentucky Ag News Headlines Funds Available for Developing Energy Plan in Bell County Kentucky Ag Connection - 03/12/2010 Gov. Steve Beshear announced a Local Government Economic Development (LGED) Multi-County grant to the Pine Mountain Regional Industrial Development Authority (Bell, Harlan, Knox, Letcher and Whitley Counties) to develop an integrated energy plan focused on resources located in and around Bell County. "Staying on the cutting edge of energy technologies is imperative as we continue to designate Kentucky as a national leader in innovative energy research," said Gov. Beshear. "Earlier this year, the decision to locate the Advanced Battery Manufacturing Research and Development Center in the Commonwealth showed that we have the ideal climate for cutting edge 'green' research and manufacturing." The LGED funds, totaling $400,000, will allow for the development of a plan to explore locating new and cutting edge energy technologies. The plan calls for investigating electric power generation fueled by local indigenous fuels, the exploration of greenhouse gas containment and beneficial re-use options and the potential manufacture of "green" crude oil and transportation fuels, possibly using algae and CO2 produced by the center. "I am very pleased with this announcement. A lot of work has gone on at the local level to facilitate this project. The timing is brilliant for attracting and building good paying jobs in our region," said Sen. Brandon Smith, of Hazard. "We appreciate Governor Beshear approving the funding for the PMRIDA Integrated Energy plan," said Rep. Rick Nelson, of Middlesboro. "This money will put us one step further in perhaps a much bigger project that will benefit our area." Copyright © 2010 - USAgNet.com. All Rights Reserved.