Power reliability, internet expansion and the board of directors’ election were the main topics of Tuesday’s Pennyrile Rural Electric Board meeting.
This year, western Kentucky has been impacted by snow, floods and tornadoes which has affected power provision in Pennyrile Electric’s service region. Pennyrile Electric President Alan Gates says they are working on making their system more weather resilient and thanked the workers who restored the power following severe weather events.
Pennyrile Electric currently provides internet to around 85% of its service region and Gates says they are in a process of applying for a grant to provide fiber internet to all customers.
The board approved for funds from the 2024 budget’s net margin of around $6.8 million to go toward this year’s capital fund. Board Attorney Lee Harton says the funds could go toward electric system construction, maintenance or general rate reductions
The power provider also received a clean audit report from Duguid Gentry and Associates. The accounting firm is also in charge of the board election and Audit Manager Taylor Mathis says they are still tallying the votes.
Western District Board Representative Bates Payne Jr. and Eastern District Board Representative Robert Allen are running for reelection unopposed. Then for the Cumberland District seat incumbent Joe Rogers was challenged by Mindy Hargrove.
After tallying the votes, Pennyrile Electric determined that Hargrove received 524 votes to Rogers’ 521–meaning Hargrove will go on to represent the Cumberland District.