The Southern States Energy Board (SSEB) is a nonprofit interstate compact organization created in 1960 and established under Public Laws 87-563 and 92-440. Sixteen southern states and two territories comprise the membership of SSEB:

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.

Membership Services

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 our 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. By utilizing our decades of experience and network of partners, SSEB:

1. Obtains funding from states, the energy industry, research institutes, academia, and federal programs to conduct state and regional projects at the request of its members, committees, task forces, energy industry partners, and academic institutions;
2. Negotiates collective funding that directly benefits member states on programs that support energy and environmental research, education and training, technology development, regulatory reform, and other key issue areas;
3. Funds the participation of state officials in Board Meetings, projects, and activities to enable states to remain current on new programs, trends, and technologies while decreasing the impact of travel on member state budgets;
4. Works directly with businesses and industries on specific economic development projects that create and sustain jobs and expand the economy;
5. Provides regional forums, summits, conferences, and workshops in member states that stimulate and promote economic investments in the South while facilitating workforce development;
6. Manages training and professional development activities that address energy and environmental programs and technologies;
7. Conducts engineering and geologic research on innovative technologies for commercialization and recommends solutions to specific issues on request of member state officials and businesses;
8. Supports improved energy efficient technologies that pollute less and contribute to a clean global environment while protecting indigenous natural resources for future generations; and
9. Maintains an Associate Members program composed of industry partners. Membership includes organizations from the non-governmental sector, such as corporations, trade associations, utilities, 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, environmental, and workforce development planning to improve and enhance the South’s well-being.

Sources of Support

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 compact authorizes the Board 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. SSEB also receives corporate sponsorships, registration fees, and in-kind contributions to support the expenses associated with the SSEB annual meeting.

In addition, SSEB maintains an Associate Members program composed 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.