Member Update on Kenergy’s Fiber-to-the-Home Efforts

Kenergy filed an application for a waiver with the Kentucky Public Service Commission (KPSC) in July 2020. This application was seeking a waiver to provide broadband services to Kenergy members. Kenergy received the KPSC findings on October 22, 2020. The order from KPSC approved a portion of the application, but denied other portions.

After taking time to process the information from the KPSC order and evaluate the next best steps for the cooperative, Kenergy board of directors and staff decided to file a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) with KPSC on September 10, 2021. The CPCN seeks approval from KPSC to authorize  the construction of a high-speed fiber optic cable network in support of Kenergy’s current and future communication needs as a rural electric distribution cooperative and lease the excess capacity of the fiber network in support of extending and enhancing the availability of broadband to unserved and underserved households and businesses in Kenergy’s service territory.

“Our goal to bring high-speed internet to all Kenergy members has not changed,” Jeff Hohn, Kenergy President and CEO said. “As Kenergy stated from the beginning of this project exploration, there would be many hurdles to make this happen. After we received the last order from KPSC in 2020, we decided this would be our best option to pursue that same goal for our members.”

Since filing the CPCN, we wanted to take our members through a timeline of events to help you better follow the proceedings.

On September 13, 2021, the Office of the Attorney General intervened. This is normal in most applications through KPSC.

KPSC established a procedural schedule that laid out important dates and deadlines for information needed in the application process.

On September 30, 2021, the Kentucky Broadband and Cable Association (KBCA) requested permission to intervene. Members of KBCA include Access Cable, Armstrong, C&W Cable, Charter Communications, COMCAST, Inter Mountain Cable, LYCOM Communications, Mediacom, Suddenlink and TVS Cable.

Kenergy has received their first set of data requests and staff are working to answer those requests.

Under the current procedural schedule, Kenergy is not anticipating a decision from KPSC until summer of 2022.

You can follow the progress and view all information regarding this application under Case No. 2021-00365 on www.psc.ky.gov

We will continue to keep our members updated as more information becomes available in this application.