Energy Planning and Inventory Commission announces Eric King as executive director
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 3, 2025) — The Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (EPIC) has announced Eric King as its executive director. The 2024 General Assembly created EPIC to evaluate Kentucky’s current and future energy landscape and ensure the adequacy of the Commonwealth’s energy supply.
As executive director, King will lead EPIC in creating a long-term energy plan for Kentucky, reviewing the adequacy of existing and future electric generation and demand, and considering the continued operation, retirement, divestiture or other major actions impacting any electric generating unit in the Commonwealth. By statute, EPIC is housed within and receives administrative support from the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research.
“Energy is fundamental to Kentucky’s economic growth and long-term stability,” Ashli Watts, president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and chair of EPIC, said. “With Eric’s strong leadership in place to guide this work, EPIC is well-positioned to ensure Kentucky can meet the Commonwealth’s energy needs, now and in the future.”
King has over 17 years of experience in energy policy, federal advocacy and utility sector engagement. King most recently served as assistant vice president of federal relations for the University of Kentucky, representing the university in Washington, D.C. His career also includes service as a senior advisor to then-Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, work with the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives and more.
"For generations, Kentucky's backbone has been our energy economy," King said. “Energy policy touches everything — jobs, economic development, security and quality of life. EPIC's role is to ensure Kentucky remains a national leader in providing reliable and adequate power across the Commonwealth. I'm honored to work with state leaders, energy experts and communities to evaluate our energy landscape and chart a path forward that keeps the lights on and our economy competitive. I'm grateful to Chair Watts and the commission members for their confidence in me, and I look forward to the work ahead."
King’s appointment as executive director is subject to confirmation by the Kentucky Senate during the 2026 General Assembly.
To learn more about EPIC, visit https://caer.uky.edu/epic.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.