Utility PAC donations rolled in ahead of solar industry bill fight

Four big utility interests pumped $327,050 into the political committees of legislative candidates and the political parties during the 2018 election cycle. 

That compares with the $6,500 contributed by the tiny political action committee of Kentucky’s solar industry.

A Courier Journal review of campaign contributions shows a vast discrepancy in the amount of political contributions coming from the two sides that are clashing over a bill that would reduce credits utilities pay to customers who generate power with solar panels on their homes and businesses.

The analysis shows 90 percent of the utility contributions went to political committees of Republicans, who hold majorities in the Kentucky House and Senate. Democrats got 10 percent of the utility PAC contributions.