Alternative Fuel Research, Development, and Promotion

The Kentucky New Energy Ventures (KNEV) program provides matching grants and investments to companies for research, development, and commercialization of alternative fuels and renewable energy. KNEV is designed to: 1) grow Kentucky-based alternative fuel and renewable energy companies to promote commonwealth-wide, innovation-driven economic growth; 2) stimulate private investment in Kentucky-based alternative fuel and renewable energy enterprises; 3) expand the alternative fuel and renewable energy knowledge base, talent force, and industry in Kentucky; 4) develop an alternative fuel and renewable energy resource network to build the technical and business capacity of entrepreneurs through informal and formal strategic support; and 5) build commonwealth-wide awareness of the economic development opportunities Kentucky’s alternative fuel and renewable energy industry offers. For the purposes of KNEV, alternative fuels include biodiesel, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, synthetic natural gas, fuels produced from coal, waste coal, or extract oil from oil shale, and other fuels produced from a renewable or sustainable source. Eligible companies must be based in Kentucky, have 150 or fewer employees, and work to develop or commercialize alternative fuel and renewable energy products, processes, and services. For more information, including information on the application process, see the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development’s Business Incentives webpage.

(Reference Senate Bill 249)