FRANKFORT — Gov. Paul Patton said Tuesday he will lift a moratorium he imposed 11 months ago on applications to build more electric power plants.

        It can safely be lifted because of Kentucky's new law giving the state more control over location of plants, Mr. Patton told his Energy Policy Advisory Board.

        Mr. Patton imposed a moratorium in June after companies filed applications to build 29 electric generating plants.

        All but four applications were for “merchant” plants, so named because they sell power on the open market and were unregulated by the Public Service Commission.

        The new law, enacted by the 2002 General Assembly with an “emergency clause” to make it take effect immediately, sets many conditions for plant locations. It also created a special state board to judge whether proposed plant sites are appropriate.

        Mr. Patton also said he wanted the policy board to draw up a 20-year energy plan that would preserve Kentucky's “much-coveted position” as a prime producer of low-cost power.

        Also during the meeting, the policy board's chairman, Jack Conway, said he was resigning because of his run for Congress in the 3rd District. Mr. Conway, a Democrat, is trying to unseat Republican U.S. Rep. Anne Northup.

        Mr. Conway cited demands on his time but also said the policy board must be free of politics. “I don't think it's appropriate from this time forward for me to be involved,” he said.

        Mr. Patton said he did not ask for Mr. Conway to resign but agreed with Mr. Conway that “he just simply doesn't have time.”

        To replace Mr. Conway, Mr. Patton elevated Annette DuPont-Ewing, the board's executive director.

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