ALTERNATIVE ENERGY

The West Kentucky Advantage

• The West Kentucky Megasite (WKM) is well-positioned for alternative energy development, with particular strengths in biomass and coal-related technologies.
• The Kentucky Economic Development and Finance Authority provides tax incentives to construct, retrofit, or upgrade an alternative fuel production or gasification facility that uses coal or biomass as a feedstock.
• Tax credits are also available for qualified biodiesel producers or blenders, as well as qualified ethanol producers.
• The total biomass available in the counties surrounding the WKM is estimated at nearly 2 million tonnes/year, among the largest feedstock availability in the state.
• Coal blending facilities are present in the region (at Kentucky Dam and Paducah) and substantial coal shipments occur on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers which are within 20 miles of the site.
• The region has a long history of working in heavy manufacturing, chemical production, and nuclear energy, as well as an agricultural tradition.

KENTUCKY SITE BANK EVALUATION

Highlights from the evaluation of the WKM for alternative energy uses

Electric	Significant substation located approx. 3 miles from WKM. Offers the potential to extend utilities (161 kV or 138 kV line) and serve as the transmission point for electricity generated on site.
Natural Gas	Access to 8-inch ATMOS line is available within 6,000 feet of the site.
Water	Mean annual stream flows of 123MGD at Mayfield Creek Mile 30. Low-flow yields between 4.8 MGD (7Q10)and 8.4 MGD (7Q2). Demonstrated well production of 900 GPM.
Biomass	Biomass availability in Graves and surrounding counties is estimated at 1,945,564 tonnes per year by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Workforce & Training

The Purchase Region has a long tradition of manufacturing and a pool of workers in relevant occupations PROFILE OF KEY OCCUPATIONS WITHIN 60-MILE RADIUS OF WEST KENTUCKY MEGASITE

SOC Code	Description	Employment	Location Quotient(1)	Median Hourly Earnings	Relative Wage (US = 1.00)
49-9042	Maintenance & Repair Workers, General	2,332	1.18	$15.03	0.94
11-1021	General and operations managers	2,260	0.90	$30.00	0.70
51-1011	First-line supervisors / managers of production and operating workers	1,356	1.51	$23.43	0.95
51-4121	Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers	1,108	1.99	$15.08	0.87
49-9041	Industrial machinery mechanics	1,053	2.50	$20.44	0.95
49-1011	First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers	770	1.25	$24.59	0.89
51-9061	Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers	717	1.12	$14.88	0.94
49-9051	Electrical power-line installers and repairers	358	2.18	$28.85	1.06
51-8091	Chemical plant and system operators	235	3.94	$26.45	1.02
17-2112	Industrial engineers	193	0.62	$33.39	0.93
15-1051	Computer systems analysts	183	0.21	$17.53	0.51
17-2141	Mechanical engineers	172	0.50	$32.34	0.89
11-9041	Engineering managers	156	0.62	$46.21	0.83
19-2041	Environmental scientists and specialists, including health	127	0.97	$17.38	0.61
15-1031	Computer software engineers, applications	121	0.15	$20.60	0.52
17-2199	Engineers, all other	98	0.37	$33.00	0.84
51-2022	Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers	98	0.38	$11.45	0.83
19-4031	Chemical technicians	98	1.10	$28.03	1.39
19-2031	Chemists	86	0.77	$28.88	0.89
17-2071	Electrical engineers	65	0.30	$37.15	0.95
SOURCE: EMSI Complete Employment - 2011.2, TIP Strategies, Inc.
(1) Location quotients (LQs) represent a ratio of employment relative to the US. LQs greater than or equal to 1.25 suggest a specialization.

  Information on this page was provided in part from TIP STRATEGIES, INC. (TIP) and Wadley Donovan GrowthTech, LLC. TIP is a privately held Austin-based economic development consulting firm which assisted West Kentucky Megasite with analysis of the regional workforce and identification of potential target industry opportunities. For their complete report, click on the TIP Workforce Analysis Link in the right sidebar. A complete current demographic profile complied by Wadley Donovan GrowthTech, LLC is also available in the right sidebar.