SR 482: Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC); create a study committee; urge

Senate Resolution 482

By: Senators Bearden of the 30th, Cowsert of the 46th, Echols of the 49th, Kirkpatrick of the 32nd, Albers of the 56th and others

ADOPTED SENATE

A RESOLUTION

Creating the Senate Nuclear Power Study Committee; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, advanced nuclear reactors (ANRs) are capable of supporting Georgia's growing energy needs by providing clean, reliable power for urban centers, industrial facilities, data centers, and desalination plants; and

WHEREAS, nuclear power is more reliable than coal, wind, and solar power, offering the resilience essential for everyday use and extreme weather conditions; and

WHEREAS, researching the use of ANRs and creating a plan for future innovations in fusion power and radioactive waste for means of energy production could increase power generation and economic development in this state; and

WHEREAS, Georgia has the chance to lead the national competition in advanced nuclear power, and an efficient ANR strategy can bring jobs, manufacturing support, and supply chain gains to this state; and

WHEREAS, the global nuclear market is projected to triple by 2050, and establishing Georgia as the preferred supplier for American ANR technology can open international opportunities and offer an alternative to Chinese and Russian nuclear reactor technology for allies and partners; and

WHEREAS, with enhanced safety, scalability, and integration potential, ANRs are a key solution for Georgia's energy reliability and stability to meet the growing energy demands of this state; and

WHEREAS, Georgia can gain competitive advantages by cutting red tape and establishing incentives to accelerate advanced nuclear deployment, overcome regulatory hurdles, and attract investment to solidify Georgia as the global nuclear energy hub.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE:

(1) Creation of Senate study committee. There is created the Senate Nuclear Power Study Committee.

(2) Members and officers. The committee shall be composed of 14 members:

(A) Five members of the Senate to be appointed by the President of the Senate;

(B) One member of the House of Representatives may be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(C) Two representatives from Georgia Power;

(D) Two representatives from electrical membership corporations located in Georgia;

(E) Two representatives from the Public Service Commission; and

(F) Two representatives from the Municipal Electrical Authority of Georgia. The President of the Senate shall designate a legislative member of the committee as chairperson of the committee.

(3) Powers and duties. The committee shall undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues, and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any action or legislation which the committee deems necessary or appropriate.

(4) Meetings. The chairperson shall call all meetings of the committee. The committee may conduct such meetings at such places and at such times as it may deem necessary or convenient to enable it to exercise fully and effectively its powers, perform its duties, and accomplish the objectives and purposes of this resolution.

(5) Allowances.

(A) The legislative members of the committee shall receive the allowances provided for in Code Section 28-1-8 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

(B) Members of the committee who are state officials, other than legislative members, or who are state employees shall receive no compensation for their services on the committee, but they may be reimbursed for expenses incurred by them in the performance of their duties as members of the committee in the same manner as they are reimbursed for expenses in their capacities as state officials or employees.

(C) Members of the committee who are not legislators, state officials, or state employees shall receive a daily expense allowance in an amount the same as that specified in subsection (b) of Code Section 45-7-21 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, as well as the mileage or transportation allowance authorized for state employees.

(D) The allowances authorized by this resolution shall not be received by any member of the committee for more than five days unless additional days are authorized. Funds necessary to carry out the provisions of this resolution shall come from funds appropriated to the Senate.

(6) Report.

(A) In the event the committee adopts any specific findings or recommendations that include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file a report of the same prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(B) In the event the committee adopts a report that does not include suggestions for proposed legislation, the chairperson shall file the report, subject to subparagraph (C) of this paragraph.

(C) No report shall be filed unless the same has been approved prior to the date of abolishment specified in this resolution by majority vote of a quorum of the committee. A report so approved shall be signed by the chairperson of the committee and filed with the Secretary of the Senate.

(D) In the absence of an approved report, the chairperson may file with the Secretary of the Senate a copy of the minutes of the meetings of the committee in lieu thereof.

(7) Abolishment. The committee shall stand abolished on December 1, 2026.