BLEDSOE: KENTUCKY’S SELECTION FOR AI INFRASTRUCTURE SITE AFFIRMS GROWING ROLE IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

BLEDSOE: KENTUCKY’S SELECTION FOR AI INFRASTRUCTURE SITE AFFIRMS GROWING ROLE IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

U.S. Department of Energy designates Paducah, KY site for future AI and energy development

FRANKFORT, Ky. (July 25, 2025) — On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced Paducah’s Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) in McCracken County has been selected as one of four federally-owned sites for potential development of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and the energy infrastructure required to support them.

Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, co-chair of the Kentucky Artificial Intelligence Task Force, issued the following statement in response to the announcement.

“This designation by the Department of Energy is a clear signal that Kentucky is well-positioned to lead in the next era of AI infrastructure and innovation.

“This move lays the groundwork for transformative partnerships, where the commonwealth can play a central role in supporting advanced data systems and the secure, scalable energy they require. I want to commend my colleague, Sen. Danny Carroll, who has championed efforts to make Kentucky nuclear energy-ready. Our state’s energy portfolio, reliability, diversity, and potential are surely key variables in this decision.

“This is precisely the kind of opportunity Kentucky has been preparing for. Through the work of the AI Task Force, we’ve taken deliberate steps to get ahead of the curve by crafting a responsible policy framework while also evaluating what it takes to build out the infrastructure AI demands.

“In the second phase of our work, we’re looking at everything from workforce development to cybersecurity to energy capacity. This federal announcement aligns directly with those efforts and reinforces the connection between smart policy and smart infrastructure.

“Paducah’s selection is more than a site designation. It's a recognition of Kentucky’s potential and a reminder of what’s at stake if we don’t lead with vision and responsibility. Positive economic impacts in Paducah will benefit the entire state of Kentucky. 

“This is all the more reason to double down on our efforts to get AI policy right, both federally and at the state level. The work of Kentucky’s AI Task Force continues, and we remain committed to guiding this technology in a way that benefits every Kentuckian.”

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Bledsoe has played a leading role in Kentucky’s efforts to responsibly adopt artificial intelligence. She sponsored and passed Senate Bill 4, which created the state’s first framework for public-sector AI use. The legislation established a cross-agency governance model to oversee procurement standards, privacy protections, algorithmic accountability, and transparency requirements.

Since the law’s passage, Bledsoe has continued to co-lead the AI Task Force through its second phase of work, which includes ongoing public hearings and research on the long-term impact of AI on state systems, private industry, workforce readiness, and infrastructure needs.

According to DOE, PGDP is one of the nation’s largest former uranium enrichment facilities and is undergoing extensive preparation for future redevelopment. The sprawling federal site has long served as a strategic energy asset. It now stands poised for a second life as a hub for advanced energy research and AI infrastructure.

The DOE’s designation of Paducah represents a rare opportunity to align federal interest with Kentucky’s proactive approach to AI and energy policy. As national conversations around energy usage, digital capacity, and regulatory guardrails continue, Bledsoe has positioned Kentucky to be a leader in building AI systems that are not only innovative but trustworthy, transparent, and built to last.

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Sen. Amanda Mays Bledsoe, R-Lexington, represents the 12th Senate District, which includes Boyle, Mercer, and Woodford Counties and part of Fayette County. She is vice chair of the Senate Appropriations and Revenue and Families and Children Committees. She is co-chair of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity. 

During the interim, Bledsoe serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Appropriations and Revenue; Families and Children; Licensing, Occupations, and Administrative Regulations; Local Government; and State Government. As Senate budget vice chair, she holds ex officio roles on multiple budget review subcommittees. Additionally, she is a member of the Tobacco Settlement agreement Fund Oversight Committee.

In 2024, Bledsoe co-chaired the AI Task Force, the work of which led to the passage of Senate Bill 4 during the 2025 Legislative Session. The measure established Kentucky’s first set of responsible guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence in state agencies.

Visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators Full Res Images/senate112.jpg for a high-resolution .jpeg of Bledsoe. 

Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for information on Senate Majority Caucus members, legislative committees, and additional resources.

Lawmakers returned to Frankfort on Tuesday to start the 2025 Interim. During this period, committees will meet to study policy issues, review implementation of recently passed legislation, and begin evaluating proposals for the 2026 Regular Session, which begins Tuesday, Jan. 6.

The full 2025 Interim Calendar is available here. A weekly schedule with meeting times, topics, and agendas can be viewed at legislature.ky.gov/LegislativeCalendar.

Live coverage of interim legislative meetings is available at KET.org/legislature and on the LRC YouTube channel.

You can follow the Kentucky Senate Majority Caucus on X, Facebook, Instagram, and BlueSky. For additional member information and press releases, visitKYSenateRepublicans.com.