ATLANTA (May 30, 2024) — President Pro Tempore John F. Kennedy (R–Macon) has been appointed to Chair the Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee, in accordance with Senate Resolution 786. The committee will include Sen. Russ Goodman (R–Cogdell), Sen. Larry Walker III (R–Perry), Sen. Sonya Halpern (D–Atlanta), Sen. Frank Ginn (R–Danielsville), and Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega).
The formation of this committee highlights the Senate’s commitment to elevating Georgia’s status as a national leader in energy production and innovation. The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee will examine the potential impact of sustainable aviation fuel and recommend steps that will best position Georgia for future economic success.
President Pro Tempore Kennedy expressed his enthusiasm for leading the committee, stating:
“This is a pivotal moment for many sectors of our economy. As Georgia continues to invest in sustainable energy production, this committee will explore how we can leverage our agriculture industry to stimulate economic growth in communities across our state. With Georgia being home to the world’s busiest airport, and agriculture being our state’s number one industry, the work of this committee could transform Georgia’s economy for generations. I want to thank Lieutenant Governor Jones for this appointment and his commitment to growing Georgia’s economy.”
The Senate Advancing Forest Innovation in Georgia Study Committee will focus on examining how public policy can encourage investment in facilities that create sustainable manufacturing components, practices, and energy that can be derived from Georgia grown products. This initiative comes at a crucial time as the agriculture and aviation industries seeks to meet global demand through innovative solutions.
The committee will conduct a thorough study to identify opportunities for public policy to support these goals, ensuring that Georgia remains at the forefront of the forestry industry while promoting sustainable and innovative practices.
You can find more information about the committee’s work and upcoming meetings here.
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Sen. John F. Kennedy serves as the President Pro Tempore of the Georgia State Senate. He represents the 18th Senate District which includes Upson, Monroe, Peach, Crawford, as well as portions of Bibb and Houston County. He may be reached at 404.656.6578 or by email at john.kennedy@senate.ga.gov.