SEA ISLAND, GEORGIA
September 13, 1965

Through the work of the Southern Interstate Nuclear Board, the
South, as a region, holds an unquestioned position of national leader-
ship in state-oriented programs for technology application. I know
that the attainment of this position is a source of great pride to this
Conference and to its members who had the vision and confidence to
organize and give continuing support to the development and growth
of this unique capability for our states in the nuclear and space fields.

It is noteworthy that this is the tenth anniversary of initiation by
this Conference of a formal exploration of the new world of atomic
energy and its potential for contribution to the economic and social
betterment of our region. The resulting story of the Southern Inter-
state Nuclear Board illustrates how vision and initiative on the part
of the Conference are creating a favorable climate for technological
advancement and encouragement of new jobs and new revenue-produc-
ing projects.

When the governors first acted in 1955, it was a pioneering step
based on a realization that sound governmental planning by the south-
ern states was needed to assure a solid base for speeding the benefits
of the peaceful atom to each and every citizen. It was realized that
advancement in this new field of endeavor would be in direct relation-
ship to the ease and facility with which technology was translated and
applied in industry, medicine, and agriculture. This action was in-
fluenced also by the availability of trained manpower, modernization
of laws, regulations and codes to meet new conditions brought about
by advancement in applied science. It was accurately anticipated that
the states would find themselves increasingly involved as the peacetime
atomic energy program expanded, in such matters as: Job and revenue
producing potentials of atomic energy; regulation and inspection of
radioactive materials; enforcement of state codes in the protection of
workers and the public; coordination of regulatory and developmental
activities; safety in the transportation of nuclear materials; waste disposal
and storage problems; water and air pollution; state-industry coopera-
tion in informing the public; requirements for nuclear facilities; train-
ing of personnel in radiation techniques; building codes; zoning;
location of nuclear facilities; conservation of natural resources; deter-

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