Act to Create a Feasibility Study on New Nuclear Energy Generation
| Model Bill Info | |
|---|---|
| Bill Title | Act to Create a Feasibility Study on New Nuclear Energy Generation |
| Date Introduced | December 1, 2022 |
| Type | Model Policy |
| Status | Final |
| Task Forces | Energy, Environment and Agriculture |
Act to Create a Feasibility Study on New Nuclear Energy Generation
(1) The commission shall engage an outside consulting firm to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in this state.
(2) The feasibility study shall consider all of the following:
(a) The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy generation in this state, including, but not limited to, the economic and environmental impact.
(b) Ways to maximize the use of workers who reside in this state and products made in this state in the construction of nuclear energy generation facilities.
(c) Evaluations, conclusions, and recommendations on all of the following:
(i) Design characteristics.
(ii) Environmental and ecological impacts.
(iii) Land and siting criteria.
(iv) Safety criteria.
(v) Engineering and cost-related criteria.
(vi) Small cell nuclear reactor capability.
(d) Socioeconomic assessment and impact analysis, including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) Workforce education, training, and development.
(ii) Local and state tax base.
(iii) Supply chains.
(iv) Permanent and temporary job creation.
(e) The timeline for development, including areas of potential acceleration or efficiencies and leveraging existing nuclear energy generation facilities within this state.
(f) Additional efficiencies and other benefits that may be gained by coordinating with other advanced, clean energy technologies, including, but not limited to, hydrogen, direct air capture of carbon dioxide, and energy storage.
(g) Literature review of studies that have assessed the potential impact of nuclear energy generation in supporting an energy transition.
(h) Analysis of national and international studies of cases where development of nuclear energy is supported and adopted.
(i) Assessment and recommendation of current and future policies that may be needed to support or accelerate the adoption of nuclear energy generation or may improve its cost-effectiveness.
(j) Stakeholder engagement to seek input or feedback, including, but not limited to, current or previous nuclear energy generation facility owners and operators in this state.
(k) Not later than 18 months after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, the commission shall deliver a written report on the feasibility study to the governor, the senate majority leader, the senate minority leader, the speaker of the house of representatives, the minority leader of the house of representatives, and the chairpersons of the senate and house of representatives standing committees with primary responsibility for energy issues and environmental protection issues.
