On this West Virginia Morning, Kentucky utility regulators could approve a rate increase for Louisville Gas & Electric and Kentucky Utilities customers. They’ve approved new power plants to meet the electricity demands of data centers. Customers may not have known about the hidden cost they’re paying for two coal plants.

Appalachia + Mid-South Newsroom Managing Editor Ryan Van Velzer spoke with WVPB’s Curtis Tate about his reporting on those plants.

Also, we have updates on recent state tax collections, SNAP benefits and a report from West Virginia Legislative interims.

West Virginia Morning is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting which is solely responsible for its content.

Support for our news bureaus comes from Shepherd University and Marshall University School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Eric Douglas produced this episode. 

Listen to West Virginia Morning weekdays at 7:49 a.m. on WVPB Radio or subscribe to the podcast and never miss an episode. #WVMorning