Kenergy waiting for Kentucky to move forward on broadband project

Kenergy, an electric cooperative looking to provide broadband internet to unserved areas in west Kentucky, is waiting for the state to approve a waiver that would allow the project to move forward. Kenergy provides electricity to members in 14 counties. The nonprofit cooperative is hoping to eventually provide high-speed internet services to more than 44,000 unserved home and business members as well. But there is a hurdle. Under Kentucky law, regulated cooperatives, like Kenergy, can only borrow money to provide electricity — not for other services, like broadband. This summer, Kenergy sent a waiver application to the Public Service Commission. If the waiver is approved, it will allow Kenergy to borrow money to create a subsidiary, tentatively called Kenect, that would provide broadband services to its members in unserved areas.