CARROLL PARTICIPATES IN NATIONAL NUCLEAR ENERGY WORKING GROUP MEETING, PROVIDES UPDATES ON KENTUCKY'S LEADERSHIP

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FRANKFORT, KY (July 10, 2024) – Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, recently updated the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Nuclear Legislative Working Group (NLWG) on Kentucky's advancements in nuclear energy development. House Majority Caucus Chair Rep. Suzanne Miles, R-Owensboro, also participated. As the primary sponsor of critical nuclear energy legislation, Carroll highlighted the progress and strategic initiatives that position Kentucky as a leader in this sector.

During his presentation, Carroll outlined the history of efforts in Kentucky and emphasized the bipartisan support for Kentucky initiatives and their significance in diversifying the commonwealth's energy portfolio. He noted that the state is preparing for an advanced nuclear energy boom while continuing to utilize critical energy resources like coal, gas, and renewables.

In 2017, Carroll sponsored Senate Bill 11 which lifted the moratorium on nuclear energy development. He also sponsored 2023's Senate Joint Resolution 79 to establish a state Nuclear Energy Working Group. That working group conducted business throughout 2023 and determined last December "that there are no insurmountable barriers to nuclear energy development in Kentucky." 

Carroll followed up these successes by filing and sponsoring the 2024 Legislative Session's Senate Bill (SB) 198 and Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 140 to build on Kentucky's rich energy foundation and make the Bluegrass a key player in the advanced nuclear energy sector.

Senate Bill 198

  • establishes the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority, administratively attached to the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research,

  • aims to serve as a non-regulatory, trusted state government agency on nuclear energy issues and development,

  • supports the development of Kentucky's nuclear energy ecosystem to enhance the economy, protect the environment, and prepare the future workforce,

  • includes provisions for local community engagement, economic opportunities, regulatory collaboration, and stakeholder education, and

  • tasks the authority to conduct a site suitability study, identify workforce and educational needs, implement an educational and marketing campaign.

  • Budget legislation allocated $20 million in each fiscal year (House Bill [HB]1, Pg. 25 [207]) to the University of Kentucky to be invested as a quasi-endowment by the University. The interest earned on the investment will be used for the Center for Applied Energy Research's administration and support of the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority and the Energy Planning and Inventory Commission (SB 349). 

Senate Joint Resolution 140

  • directs the Public Service Commission to gather insights from other states, hire nuclear regulatory experts, and train staff to handle nuclear siting and construction, and

  • modifies regulations to require electric utilities to consider all generation resources, including nuclear, and eliminate obstacles to effective nuclear regulation.

  • Budget legislation appropriated nearly $37 million to the Public Service Commission over the next two years (HB 6, pg. 85 [7]).

Governor Andy Beshear vetoed SB 198, citing concerns over appointment authority. The legislature overrode the veto. The Beshear administration recently outlined a list of bills it will not implement, arguing that no funding was provided to support them. SB 198 and SJR 140 were among the list of bills. 

Carroll has stated he remains committed to advancing nuclear energy opportunities in Kentucky.

FEDERAL EFFORTS

In addition to state-level initiatives, federal efforts are bolstering nuclear energy development nationwide. Recently, a bipartisan nuclear package was signed into law. This legislation is expected to support nuclear energy projects nationwide and enhance opportunities for states like Kentucky to develop their nuclear energy capabilities. It aims to speed up the timeline for licensing new nuclear reactors and cut the fees companies must pay. It also requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to create a report that considers ways to simplify and shorten the environmental review process for such reactors.

ABOUT NCSL NLWG

NCSL's NLWG's mission is to provide legislative members with opportunities to learn about nuclear energy and related policy activities. NLWG fosters communication between legislators, the nuclear energy industry, government, and nonprofit professionals. This collaboration helps guide NCSL policies and advocacy efforts before the federal government on behalf of state legislators. The group includes members from across the United States, ensuring a diverse range of perspectives and expertise in nuclear energy policy.

NCSL serves as a resource for all state legislatures, and as laboratories for democracy, state policy initiatives are shared and sometimes emulated.

For more information on the Nuclear Legislative Working Group, CLICK HERE.

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Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, represents the 2nd Senate District, including Ballard, Carlisle, Livingston, Marshall, and McCracken Counties. He serves as Senate Families and Children Committee chair. He is also a Senate Education, Health Services and Judiciary Committee member. Additionally, Carroll is a member of the Public Pension Oversight Board, Juvenile Justice Oversight Council, and the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee. 

 For a high-resolution .jpeg of Carroll, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate102.jpg. 
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2024 Legislative Session, such as committee schedules, membership, legislation, etc.

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Access archived footage of legislative meetings at ket.org/legislature/archives.

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