Photo: Ray S. Jones II

On Wednesday, February 14, 2018, Senator Ray Jones II filed Senate Bill 147, an act relating to electric utility rates and declaring an emergency. The bill is co-sponsored by Senator Brandon Smith of Hazard and would authorize the Kentucky Public Service Commission to consider rates of utilities with economically distressed counties in their service territory. Additionally, the bill would amend KRS Chapter 278 to consider adverse impact on citizens in distressed counties and cap the rate of return at six percent, as well as provide ratepayers the option of petitioning the commission within six months of a rate increase to rehear the increase.