By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

On August 24, state Representative Harry Geisinger (R-Roswell) was reelected to the Southern States Energy Board Executive Committee during the Board’s 49th Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia. As an executive board member Representative Geisinger will help determine the Board’s policy and research platforms and priorities.

“I am honored to be able to continue my work with the Southern States Energy Board Executive Committee,” said Representative Geisinger. “Energy issues are a top priority for Congress and state governments around the country. This issue affects the economy, environment, our national security, and each of our daily lives. Georgia has a responsibility to help lead the discussion on energy policies, and I am proud to help.”

The Southern States Energy 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.

“[The Southern States Energy Board] is magnificent because it helps to promote the needed energy within the states, but also helps to promote the industries that develop that energy as well as industries that you’re supplying that energy to,” said Geisinger. “The Southeast Energy Board has been a leader in energy development throughout the nation.”

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-chairman 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. The SSEB is involved in duties as varied as transporting nuclear waste to mitigating CO2 levels to combat global warming.

Board members are elected on an annual basis by a vote of their peers.