Kentucky Among Worst States for Health Risks from Power Plant Emissions

Kentuckians are losing more healthy years of life from power plant emissions than almost any other state, according to a new Commonwealth Fund scorecard on climate and health. The report ranked Kentucky 50th among all states and the District of Columbia, with only West Virginia faring worse. Researchers measured health burdens from coal-heavy electricity generation, flood risks to health care facilities, and state-level clean energy policies.

Michael Seilback of the American Lung Association said Kentucky’s reliance on coal, which provided 68% of its electricity in 2023, is a major driver of poor air quality, asthma attacks, lung cancer, and premature death. The report showed Kentucky’s emissions create more negative health impacts per unit of electricity than nearly anywhere else.

While the state ranked relatively well on natural hazard risks to health care facilities, high flood exposure for inpatient beds raises concerns. Experts urged a shift toward renewable energy, efficiency improvements, and stronger resilience planning.

26-09-2025