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(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) — Kentucky Habitat for Humanity (KYHFH) and Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities Company today announced an innovative, new partnership using locally grown renewable energy to benefit the organization’s clients. The recently created KYHFH program will provide 10 eligible low-income families across Kentucky with subscriptions to the utilities’ Solar Share program offsetting a portion of each family’s utility bill for 25 years. 

To make the program possible, KYHFH subscribed to 180 shares in LG&E and KU’s Solar Share Program. The utilities’ new gifting option, approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission in 2019, enables program subscribers to transfer monthly solar share credits to another recipient. 

In this case, solar share credits will be transferred to the families, selected collaboratively by KYHFH and Habitat affiliates across the state, with a goal to help offset as much as 30% of the families’ monthly energy usage. 

In addition to providing much needed aid to the families to help offset their monthly energy bill, the shares subscribed in this program bring LG&E and KU’s second 500-kilowatt section of its Solar Share facility to full subscription, clearing the way to construct the next 1,400-panel array at the utilities’ Solar Share site in Simpsonville, KY in 2020.

“The partnership between KYHFH and LG&E and KU reflects a shared commitment to our environment, renewable energy and creative strategies to ensure low-income families have a decent and affordable place to call home,” said KYHFH Executive Director Mary Shearer.

“Creating community partnerships and new resources to assist our most vulnerable customers is a key focus for our company, which is what made this partnership such a great fit,” said Beth McFarland, LG&E and KU Vice President-Customer Services. “We’re now giving Solar Share participants the option to "gift" their solar energy credits to another person, business or nonprofit organization. It’s our hope generous customers across our community will consider this option as they look to make impactful contributions to Habitat and other non-profits across our service territories during the holiday season and throughout the year.”

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville identified the first homeowner, Amber Mullins, and will continue partnering with KYHFH to identify additional participants. Learn more about Amber here. 

“Growing the use of renewable energy while simultaneously lowering utility costs for low-income homeowners is a great achievement,” said Rob Locke, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville.  “This gift will empower Amber and her family to use the power of home to build strength, stability and self-reliance,” Locke added.

In addition to KYHFH’s investment, Carbide Industries already stepped forward as the first company to support KYHFH’s participation in the Solar Share Program.  Carbide’s donation will allow KYHFH to increase the number of shares subscribed and extend assistance to additional low-income families through this innovative partnership. 

Other companies or individuals interested in donating Solar Program shares can contact Mary Shearer with KYHFH Mary@kyhfh.org or call 502-608-7041. Learn more about LG&E and KU’s Solar Share Program and its gifting option by visiting lge-ku.com/environment/solar.

 

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Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve nearly 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 328,000 natural gas and 414,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 555,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.

Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working in local communities across all 50 states in the U.S. and in approximately 70 countries. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. 

Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville was founded in 1985 and has built or renovated over 525 homes in Louisville and Oldham County. Habitat builds affordable houses for people who make between 30%-80% of the area's median income. All partner homebuyers invest 400 hours of sweat equity in their home and in homeowner education classes. Houses are sold at no profit with a 0% interest, 20-year loan. The homeowners’ mortgage payments are reinvested to build more Habitat homes.  

Habitat’s Community Development and Home Repair Program is a holistic approach to creating change in our neighborhoods that have the greatest need for stability. The program focuses on community development and home repair in low-income, underserved neighborhoods where Habitat has an investment. The goal is to increase pride in the neighborhood and improve the entire streetscape, while creating a safer and healthier environment. Visit www.louisvillehabitat.org for more information.