Grassroots Group Rallies Eastern Kentucky Counties Against KY Power Rate Hike

Pike County resident creates "Creek Don't Rise Coalition" to push for public audit and rate review

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:52pm

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A grassroots group called the "Creek Don't Rise Coalition" led by Pike County resident Zachary Tackett is gathering support from fiscal courts across Eastern Kentucky to pass a resolution targeting a recent rate increase approved by the Kentucky Public Service Commission for Kentucky Power. The resolution calls for a public and transparent audit of Kentucky Power, as well as a review of the rate hike decision until the audit findings can be used to benefit customers rather than shareholders.

Why it matters

The rate increase by Kentucky Power is seen as unfairly burdening vulnerable residents in the region who are already struggling with high energy costs. The grassroots effort aims to hold the utility and regulators accountable through a unified call for transparency and fairness.

The details

Tackett created the "Creek Don't Rise Coalition" and has been visiting fiscal courts in counties throughout Eastern Kentucky to ask them to adopt a resolution targeting the Kentucky Power rate increase. The resolution calls for the Public Service Commission to make the upcoming independent audit of Kentucky Power public and transparent, and to use the audit findings to save money for customers rather than benefit shareholders. It also requests the PSC to revisit its decision to approve the rate increase until after the audit is complete.

  • The Pike County Fiscal Court voted to adopt the resolution during its meeting last week.
  • The Public Service Commission recently approved a more than 6% rate hike for Kentucky Power.

The players

Zachary Tackett

A Pike County resident who created the "Creek Don't Rise Coalition" grassroots group to advocate against the Kentucky Power rate increase.

Ray Jones

The Pike County Judge-Executive, who says he supports the resolution but believes the problem lies with state lawmakers in Frankfort.

Kentucky Power

The utility company that was granted a rate increase by the Kentucky Public Service Commission, which the grassroots group is now targeting.

Kentucky Public Service Commission

The state regulatory body that approved the Kentucky Power rate increase and has ordered an independent audit of the utility.

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What they’re saying

“The public just keeps getting screwed over. But I don't blame the PSC. They have to comply with the law.”

— Ray Jones, Pike County Judge-Executive

“The man in Floyd County, who has cancer right now, who doesn't have power. The lady on Elkhorn Creek who's got an $800 power bill and she makes $1,200. And she passes up her medication this month because she can't afford it. The lady who is pregnant in Breathitt County and scared to death because she doesn't know if she's going to be able to afford stuff for her child or to keep the power on.”

— Zachary Tackett, Founder, Creek Don't Rise Coalition

“Well, if you need an audit, you need to wait and let us prove that you need the money first. That you're not wasting our money.”

— Zachary Tackett, Founder, Creek Don't Rise Coalition

What’s next

The Pike County Fiscal Court has already adopted the resolution, and Tackett hopes to see more governing bodies in the region support the movement. The Public Service Commission will also need to review the findings of the independent audit of Kentucky Power once it is completed.

The takeaway

This grassroots effort highlights the financial struggles faced by many vulnerable residents in Eastern Kentucky due to rising utility costs, and the desire for greater transparency and accountability from both the utility company and state regulators. The unified call for action from local governments could put pressure on policymakers to address these concerns.