LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Governor Andy Beshear says Monday marked a historic day as the federal government announced a new era of funding for the state’s energy infrastructure.

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service is giving the state more than $1 billion toward clean energy, distance learning and telemedicine.

“It’s one of the biggest investments in our electric infrastructure since the New Deal,” Governor Beshear said.

Eighty-nine counties in the Commonwealth will benefit from this investment. USDA Utilities Service Administrator Andy Berke says this money will ultimately give people a better quality of life.

“We are going to invest up to $1.4 billion in grants and loans to make sure that the energy produced here is cleaner, that the grid is more reliable and that we have a more affordable energy future for east Kentucky,” said Berke

Berke says this funding is possible because of the Inflation Reduction Act. East Kentucky Power Cooperative will get more than $670 million of it to construct 757 megawatts of renewable energy for rural areas among other things.

“We’re going to see this co-op transformed into one of the cleanest electricity producers in the country as a result,” Berke said.

Representatives with East Kentucky Power Cooperative say in doing so, they’ll still be competitive and offer good rates.

“East Kentucky Power Cooperative will reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 2.3 million tons per year,” said Tony Campbell, the President & CEO of East Kentucky Power Cooperative.

The second part of Monday’s announcement is the more than $5 million that will go toward eight distance learning and telemedicine projects. Recipients include Bowling Green-Warren County Community Hospital and Monroe County Schools.

“It’s the largest grant that we’ve ever received, so we are so excited,” Monroe County Schools Superintendant Amy Thompson said.

Governor Beshear says this money will spark intragenerational change and a greener energy portfolio for the state.

“As governor, I’m proud of today, but as a Dad, I see an even brighter future for my children based on the investments that have been made,” Beshear said.

Leaders say they will announce and seek approval for the various projects this money will fund. The projects will also create hundreds of new jobs.

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