House Joint Resolution 77, introduced February 19, would require EPIC to assess the technical and economic viability of coal resources across Appalachian-designated counties and examine why households in the region face some of the highest energy cost burdens in the Commonwealth.
The measure has been referred to the House Committee on Committees.
If adopted, the commission would evaluate:
The report would be due to the Legislative Research Commission by December 1, 2026, and made publicly available.
The resolution points directly to affordability. Eastern Kentucky households are described as carrying a disproportionate energy burden, with electricity and heating costs consuming a significant share of income.
For a region that has historically powered much of the state through coal production, the economic transition away from mining has been uneven. The study is framed as an effort to better understand whether coal-related infrastructure still plays a role in stabilizing local economies and managing energy costs.
It also emphasizes grid adequacy and reliability — signaling that lawmakers view the issue not only through an economic lens, but through an infrastructure one as well.
HJR 77 does not authorize new projects or funding. Instead, it initiates a structured review that could inform future policy decisions tied to rate design, infrastructure investment, and regional economic development.
At its core, the resolution raises a practical question: what role, if any, should coal continue to play in balancing affordability, reliability, and economic stability in eastern Kentucky?
