Legislation designed to position Kentucky as a leader in nuclear energy by establishing a grant program within the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (KNEDA) to advance and attract nuclear energy-related projects across the state, won unanimous approval from the Senate on Friday.
Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, the sponsor of Senate Bill 179, called this the next step towards building a nuclear ecosystem in the state.
The bill sets aside $10 million from current appropriations for grant funding. KNEDA will promote the grants, accept applications, and oversee distribution. A subcommittee of advisory board members will administer the awards, with a $2 million maximum per grant.
“This is a crucial step in our step towards nuclear energy,” Carroll told his Senate colleagues. “Everyone is well aware of the demands we have in this state with data centers coming in, with electric cars, and we realize that we are falling behind in this area.”
Sen. Robby Mills, R-Henderson, also spoke in favor of the bill. “We are woefully short of energy, and we need every drop of energy we can get in this Commonwealth. We need forward-thinking processes like the one that is before us right now to keep us a leader in this area.”
Sen. David Yates, D-Louisville, called this action long overdue. “In Kentucky, over the years we have missed so much federal money that could have come in to help reduce energy costs. Sometimes, people see the phrase ‘nuclear energy,’ and they get nervous. Part of our job as elected officials is to educate and make sure people in our districts who may be worried, understand all the precautions and the research that has been put in place.”
Air traffic control measure passes Senate
In other action, the Senate (on a 35-1 vote) passed SB 87, sponsored by Sen. Shelley Funke Frommeyer, R-Alexandria, to help alleviate the national air traffic controller shortage and enhance airport operations in Kentucky. The bill directs the Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) to conduct a comprehensive study on the feasibility of establishing an air traffic control or air traffic safety credentialing program at one or more public postsecondary institutions in the state.
It also streamlines procurement procedures for Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Lexington-Bluegrass Airport (LEX), and Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF), by aligning purchase transactions up to $150,000 with FAA guidelines, while maintaining state oversight for larger purchases.
Both measures now head to the House.
Sen. Danny Carroll, R-Paducah, the sponsor of Senate Bill 179, called this the next step towards building a nuclear ecosystem in the state. (LRC photo)
