Through innovations in energy and environmental policies, programs and technologies, the Southern States Energy Board enhances economic development and the quality of life in the South.
The Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) is a non-profit interstate compact organization created in 1960 and established under Public Laws 87-563 and 92-440. The Board's mission is to enhance economic development and the quality of life in the South through innovations in energy and environmental policies, programs and technologies. Sixteen southern states and two territories comprise the membership of SSEB: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia and West Virginia. Each jurisdiction is represented by the governor and a legislator from the House and Senate. A governor serves as the chair and legislators serve as vice-chair and treasurer. Ex-officio non-voting Board members include a federal representative appointed by the President of the United States, the Southern Legislative Conference Energy and Environment Committee Chair and SSEB's executive director, who serves as secretary.
SSEB was created by state law and consented to by Congress with a broad mandate to contribute to the economic and community well-being of the southern region. The Board exercises this mandate through the creation of programs in the fields of energy and environmental policy research, development and implementation, science and technology exploration and related areas of concern. SSEB serves its members directly by providing timely assistance designed to develop effective energy and environmental policies and programs and represents its members before governmental agencies at all levels.
Participation by all member jurisdictions in the Southern States Energy Board Compact is critical not only to the state but also to the region. All of the activities of the Board, as described in this Annual Report, benefit the southern region in the development of a sound economy, proper utilization and diversity of energy sources and increased industrialization, while providing for protection of the environment to ensure public health, safety and welfare. SSEB often undertakes state-specific projects with those same goals in mind.
Listed below are value-added services that SSEB member states and its citizens receive as members of the Compact.
Core funding for the Board comes from the appropriations of its 18 member jurisdictions. Each member's share of support is determined by a formula written into the original Compact. The formula uses relative state population, per capita income and equal shares as factors. The Board has not requested an increase in state appropriations since 1987.
The Board also is authorized to accept funds from any state, federal agency, interstate agency, institution, person, firm or corporation provided those funds are used for the Board's purposes and functions. This year, additional support was received for special projects from research grants, cooperative agreements and contracts from the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command's Alion Science and Technology Corporation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of Transportation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and various other funding sources.
In addition, SSEB maintains an Associate Members program comprised of industry partners who provide an annual contribution to the Board. Membership includes organizations from the non-governmental sector, such as corporations, trade associations and public advocacy groups. The Associate Members program provides an opportunity for public officials and industry representatives to exchange ideas, define objectives and advance energy and environmental planning to improve and enhance the South's well-being.
6325 Amherst Court, Norcross, Georgia, 30092 | Tel: (770) 242-7712 | Fax: (770) 242-9956
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