For Immediate Release
August 23, 2002
Contact: Rusty Cheuvront (502) 564-2611 or Channell Barbour (502)-682-9400 

Gov. Patton to Attend Southern Governor’s Association Annual Meeting


Frankfort, KY - Gov. Paul Patton and First Lady Judi Patton will attend the Southern Governors' Association (SGA) annual meeting in New Orleans August 25 – 27. This year’s theme is “Wetlands to Wildlife, the Value of Conservation in the South.” 

Sessions will focus on conservation in the South, with governors highlighting some of their most innovative and successful conservation programs in their states.  In addition, they will also discuss homeland security, research and development, and education and health care for children. 

Speakers will include U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Gale A. Norton, Former New York Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund Marian Wright Edelman. 

On Monday, August 26, at 10 a.m. (CST) Gov. Patton, along with other governors, will have a press conference regarding a resolution on Electric Transmission Pricing and the proposed Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s regulation changes.  These proposed changes have the potential to fundamentally alter transmission and cost of electricity in Kentucky and across the south.  Kentucky currently has the lowest energy costs in the nation. 

Gov. Patton is a former chair of SGA and is the current National Governors Association chair.  Kentucky hosted SGA last year in Lexington, but due to the September 11 events, the final day was canceled. 

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