CARROLL RETURNS FROM NUCLEAR ENERGY POLICY MASTERCLASS
FRANKFORT, KY (Aug. 28, 2024) – Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, recently returned from Ontario, Canada, where he participated in the Conference for State Governments (CSG) policy masterclass on August 12-15 to continue his efforts as a champion for nuclear energy production in Kentucky. The masterclass, "Bigger May Not Be Better: The Potential of Small Nuclear Reactors to Address Energy Needs," emphasized emerging technologies within nuclear energy development, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), their technologies, and deployment.
This CSG South 2024 Energy Policy Masterclass, hosted in partnership with the Government of Ontario, brought together 20 participants from 10 Southern states – Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia – for an in-depth exploration of SMRs and Ontario's broader nuclear initiatives. The masterclass gave participants valuable insights into new nuclear energy projects' costs, timelines, and workforce development needs, especially focusing on the first operational SMR in North America currently under construction in Ontario.
"We're proud to have partnered with Ontario to facilitate this CSG South Policy Masterclass on emerging nuclear energy technologies," CSG South Director Lindsey Gray said. "A core part of CSG South's mission is to strengthen our members' knowledge of key issues for southern state governments and share ideas among their peers. This policy masterclass achieved exactly that; it gave members from 10 states an in-depth understanding of emerging nuclear energy technologies, like small modular reactors, that they can bring back to their states as they look at new ways to address energy needs."
Throughout the masterclass, participants engaged in 17 learning sessions covering various aspects of nuclear energy, from SMR technology to supply chain considerations. They even participated in a site visit to the Darlington Nuclear Station, where they observed the SMR construction firsthand. Notable interactions included discussions with Ontario's Premier Doug Ford, Minister for Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce, and other key officials, providing a comprehensive overview of Ontario's nuclear strategy.
CSG South's Policy Masterclass program provides numerous opportunities for policymakers to focus on the issues most relevant to state government, share ideas among their peers, and develop regional and national expertise.
"I'm making a concerted effort to be a part of as many of these nuclear energy-centric efforts as possible," Carroll said. "I firmly believe nuclear is not only a clean and sustainable source of baseload energy, it also provides an opportunity for an economic boom in our communities.
"I'm proud of the steps we've been able to take here in Kentucky. This policy masterclass was another opportunity to learn the latest on these incredible technological advancements, stay updated on the latest advancements, learn about the efforts of other states and even nations, and also brag a little about Kentucky and the steps we're taking to be a leader, rather than a follower, on this expansion of our energy portfolio."
Carroll had previously updated the National Conference of State Legislatures Nuclear Legislative Working Group on Kentucky's advancements in nuclear energy development, highlighting the progress and strategic initiatives that position Kentucky as a leader in this sector.
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BACKGROUND
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. It 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
modify 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 bills on the list.
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 NUCLEAR LEGISLATIVE WORKING GROUP
NCSL's Nuclear Legislative Working Group (NLWG) 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.
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