FILE - Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks in the Rotunda of the state Capitol, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Frankfort, Ky. Beshear on Thursday, April 4, vetoed legislation promoting nuclear energy in coal-producing Kentucky, but stressed his objections dealt with an advisory board and not with the use of nuclear power. in coal-producing Kentucky, but stressed his objections dealt with an advisory board and not with the use of nuclear power.
“The legislature can’t just say ’you in this position in the private sector and you in that position on a private sector association are automatically on a board’ and then given governing authority,” the governor said at a news conference. “That’s not the way the executive branch works, not the way that the power can be delegated to carry out the law.”Alabama Sen.
When the nuclear energy bill cleared the legislature last month, it marked a milestone for Carroll, who has spent years striving to secure an eventual foothold for nuclear power as an energy supplier in a state where coal has long been king.The authority would be a nonregulatory agency on issues related to nuclear energy and its development in Kentucky.
“The governance and structure of the authority is not only bad policy, but it is also unconstitutional by giving the governor or other constitutional officers no authority to appoint or remove voting members,” the governor wrote.