Lawmakers file House Bill 535 to provide relief amid rising electricity costs

EASTERN KENTUCKY, Ky. (WYMT) — Two state lawmakers have filed legislation aimed at lowering electricity costs for Eastern Kentucky residents facing high power bills during recent frigid temperatures.

Representatives Derek Lewis (R-District 90) and Patrick Flannery (R-District 96), filed House Bill 535, also known as the Eastern Kentucky Energy Savings Act. The bill focuses on affordability and reliability for mountain families struggling with energy costs.

“The people in Eastern Kentucky are hurting right now,” Lewis said.

A key component of the bill involves securitization, which Lewis said would provide immediate relief and reliable power to customers.

“If Kentucky Power is to opt into securitization, there is a two-year freeze of any rate increase during that time,” Lewis said. “So, customers will not only not pay any other higher rate, but in addition, because of the savings through securitization, they will pay a lower rate. So we’re talking immediate relief.”

Lewis said the bill would create opportunities beyond lower energy costs, including high paying jobs and a boost to economic development.

“If we’re talking about a new energy generating facility in East Kentucky, we’re talking about high paying jobs, right? Both in the construction and then also just the general workforce in general,” Lewis said. “But then also if we’re talking economic development and we’re talking about reliable power, that means the world to economic development.”

Lewis said the initial filing represents the start of broader discussions about energy relief, and many ideas have been mentioned.

“Many people have ideas. But I think the general sentiment there is we want to help our people,” Lewis said. “It’s just what does that look like? What does that policy look like? But we do hear our people and we want relief and we want to help bring that to our people in any way possible.”

The bill is awaiting assignment to a committee.

Earlier in the week, Attorney General Russell Coleman called on the Kentucky Public Service Commission to reject any increase in rates for Kentucky Power.

Copyright 2026 WYMT. All rights reserved.