FRANKFORT, KY (Feb. 21, 2024) – Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Benton, presented two legislative proposals to the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee on Wednesday. The committee approved both.
The proposals would build a solid foundation for Kentucky's nuclear energy ecosystem. The measures are Senate Bill 198 (SB 198) and Senate Joint Resolution 140 (SJR 140). The bill and resolution follow the work of the Nuclear Energy Working Group, which was established through Carroll's 2023 SJR 79. In December, the working group concluded and reported "that there are no insurmountable barriers to nuclear energy development in Kentucky" but acknowledged real challenges that will require serious attention.
Carroll's latest legislation strives to embrace a continued multi-faceted energy sector to meet Kentucky's power needs while putting measures in place to ensure the commonwealth is a player in the advanced nuclear energy boom of a quickly approaching future.
SB 198 would establish the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority administratively attached to the University of Kentucky's Center for Applied Energy Research and governed by an advisory board of representatives from numerous stakeholders throughout the state and national nuclear organizations. The authority's mission would be to serve as a non-regulatory, trusted state government agency on nuclear energy issues and development in the commonwealth. It would also support the development of Kentucky's nuclear energy ecosystem in a manner that enhances the economy, protects the environment, supports community voices, increases energy education, and prepares the future workforce.
The authority's purpose and function would include assisting local communities in understanding advanced nuclear energy opportunities, providing information on nuclear energy to the general public, developing economic opportunities, engaging with regulators, and promoting stakeholder collaboration.
SB 198 requires the authority to contract for services to produce a site suitability study to identify the best potential locations for nuclear reactors and other facilities related to the nuclear ecosystem in the commonwealth.
SB 198 directs the authority to study to identify the workforce and educational needs to develop and support the nuclear ecosystem in Kentucky.
SB 198 charges the authority to implement an educational and marketing campaign designed to educate residents on modern nuclear energy technologies and the potential benefits of nuclear power generation and other applications of nuclear energy technologies.
Additionally, SB 198 would direct the Cabinet for Economic Development to create a financial assistance grant program for nuclear energy-related projects to support the entire nuclear energy ecosystem in the commonwealth.
Finally, SB 198 authorizes the authority to create criteria for a voluntary "nuclear-ready community" designation. The criteria for a community to be designated as a nuclear-ready community would include:
Local Public Educational Meetings: The community must hold local public educational meetings to educate residents on advanced nuclear energy technologies, the nuclear ecosystem, and the potential role of nuclear energy-related development in the community.
Availability of Suitable Sites: The community should have sites recognized by the Cabinet for Economic Development as suitable for nuclear energy-related projects.
Community Support: The community needs to adopt resolutions from the county. and all cities in the county or successfully pass a county ballot initiative declaring the community's readiness for nuclear energy-related projects to be developed and sited there.
Carroll is challenging others to seek educational opportunities to learn about advanced nuclear energy technologies and the potential economic development a strong nuclear energy ecosystem can bring to the commonwealth. Those can include converting retired or at-risk coal-fired plants to nuclear following years of federal policies that have harmed the coal industry, especially in eastern and western Kentucky.
The working group report echoes Carroll's message over the past seven years that retiring fossil generation assets at the end of their useful life may also provide options for re-powering, redevelopment and re-industrialization, given the infrastructure already present at these locations. In addition, these communities' trade and skilled workforce presents a unique opportunity for re-employment.
"Amidst a renewed focus on nuclear energy in the United States, marked by technological advancements, Kentucky is uniquely positioned to seize an incredible opportunity to actively participate and reap the advantages of this emerging nuclear energy landscape," Carroll said.
The authority would be tasked with increasing capacity for nuclear advancement, establishing pipelines with economic development professionals and the private sector, strengthening communication channels to the public, increasing community engagement, and addressing permitting and regulatory hurdles.
To ensure the state is prepared to handle applications for establishing and constructing Kentucky's nuclear energy ecosystem, Carroll has also introduced SJR 140, which would direct the Public Service Commission to
survey nuclear regulatory staff in other states to gather valuable insights,
hire experts in nuclear regulatory matters who can promptly assist with any applications,
train existing staff to enhance their understanding of nuclear siting and construction issues,
modify administrative regulations to require electric utilities to consider all generation resources, including nuclear, in their planning, and
review existing regulations to eliminate any obstacles to effective regulation and the development of the nuclear industry in our state.
"We are in historical times for energy production, not just within the commonwealth, but throughout the entire world," Carroll said. "I'm convinced that in the future, as the energy demand grows faster than current generation can keep up with, nuclear energy will become the primary source of baseload energy. One of the most exciting advancements in nuclear energy is in nuclear fusion. This is the power of the sun and stars. When perfected, this technology will change the world by supplying an unlimited source of clean energy basically free of waste."
Carroll has previously championed Senate Bill 11 from the 2017 Legislative Session, which lifted a moratorium on constructing new nuclear power facilities in Kentucky. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, the United States nuclear energy sector employs nearly 100,000, with approximately 500 to 800 in each power plant. This number climbs to 475,000 including secondary jobs.
SB 198 and SJR 140 now qualify for consideration of the full Senate. Visit legislature.ky.gov for more information on Sen. Danny Carroll and to find the proposals in their entirety.
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Senator 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.
Please visit Legislature.ky.gov for more information on Senate Majority Caucus members and the 2024 Legislative Session, such as committee schedules, membership, legislation, and more.
For a high-resolution .jpeg of Carroll, please visit: https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate102.jpg.
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