The Chandler Hall Auditorium experienced a fusion of interest, excitement and concern as individuals of the Bowling Green community gathered to learn about nuclear energy.
The Kentucky Public Service Commission held a lecture titled “Investigation of Nuclear Energy, Generation, Storage, and Related Matters,” on Wednesday evening to discuss past, present and future concerns of nuclear energy, as well as allow community members to voice opinions on its state and national influence.
The event marked the last of six similar visits across the state. Over the past few months, the PSC lectured at the University of Louisville, Technical College in Paducah, and Northern Kentucky University.
The PSC, founded in 1934, is a three-member administrative body appointed by the Governor. According to its website, PSC oversees 1,100 utility companies in Kentucky who provide electric, water, natural gas and other services to the public. The commission’s goal is to “foster the provision of safe and reliable service at a reasonable price…”
Kenya Stump, executive director of the Office of Energy Policy within Kentucky’s Energy and Environment Cabinet, began the lecture by presenting on the concept of nuclear energy and uranium, the material crucial to its development.
Stump said one uranium fuel pellet has as much energy as 149 gallons of oil, one ton of coal and 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas. The United States is no stranger to nuclear energy research; the U.S Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program has safely operated 273 reactor plants over the last 75 years, Stump said.
Nuclear energy power production and management technology has evolved rapidly in recent decades, Stump said. Power plants are highly reliable forms of energy generation and operate at virtually all hours. Nuclear power generation produces almost no emissions, but can lead to water pollution and the release of radioactive waste.
In 2024, nuclear energy provided 18% of the U.S. electricity production. The U.S imports uranium primarily from countries including Canada, Kazakhstan, Russia, Australia and Uzbekistan.
Currently, there are 94 nuclear reactors across 28 states in the U.S. Kentucky is not home to one of these reactors.
After the presentation, the commission opened the floor for questions. Individuals asked questions about a range of topics, including the environmental impact of nuclear and coal plants, as well as the pros and cons of developing plants across the country. Others took to the microphone to express concerns regarding the country’s increasing nuclear development and its environmental impacts.
Carter Wayne Lowry, a sophomore environmental sustainability and geographic studies major, voiced his concerns regarding energy usage.
“Kentucky relies mostly on coal, which does release into the air and hurts lungs,” Lowry said. “It introduces high amounts of asthma onto children.”
Lowry said he is in favor of using nuclear energy production as a replacement for coal, especially in states with high levels of coal production. Making this change as soon as possible is necessary for the health of current and future generations, Lowry said.
“Naturally going toward nuclear should be the route we go. It’s something I constantly think about,” Lowry said. “How do I want to be as a father or a future father…I want to change myself to make that future happen.”
The PSC advised any other questions, concerns or comments from the public be directed to their website, where the full meeting minutes can also be found.
