KNEDA designates Ballard and McCracken counties as Nuclear-Ready Communities

The Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) has designated Ballard County and McCracken County as Nuclear-Ready Communities.

The Nuclear-Ready Community designation recognizes Kentucky communities that have demonstrated readiness to welcome nuclear energy-related development. Under Kentucky state law and criteria adopted by KNEDA, participating communities complete local nuclear energy education activities, identify qualifying development sites and take formal local action expressing readiness for potential nuclear energy-related projects.

Ballard and McCracken counties are receiving the designation after completing the requirements established by Kentucky law and KNEDA for Nuclear-Ready Community status. The designation is intended to help communities prepare for future opportunities related to Kentucky's growing nuclear energy ecosystem while providing local leaders and residents with opportunities to learn more about nuclear energy and its potential role in economic development.

The designation does not constitute approval of a specific nuclear project or site. Rather, it recognizes that a community has completed the requirements established for Nuclear-Ready Community status.

Established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 2024, KNEDA serves as the Commonwealth’s nonregulatory, trusted state agency on nuclear energy issues and development. The authority supports and facilitates the growth of Kentucky’s nuclear energy ecosystem in a collaborative manner that strengthens the economy, promotes safe energy and economic development opportunities, protects the environment, supports community engagement, expands energy education and helps prepare a future workforce. KNEDA is administratively attached to the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research.

Additional information about KNEDA and the Nuclear-Ready Community program is available at caer.uky.edu/kneda.