A task force is set to begin reviewing whether a state fuel lab built under former Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer can be saved. The bi-partisan panel has its first meeting scheduled on Tuesday at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture offices in Frankfort.
Current Agriculture Commissioner James Comer told the Lexington Herald Leader that he put the panel together to figure out what to do with the lab, which he says is "hemorrhaging money" that the department can't afford.
Farmer told state lawmakers when the facility was approved that it would save money.
An audit ordered by Comer during his first days in office found several problem spots that are under investigation.
Farmer's attorney, Guthrie True, did not respond to a request by the newspaper for comment from Farmer.