Legislators in dozens of States are removing decades-old restrictions on nuclear plant development in order to encourage consideration of sites for the next generation of safe, clean, advanced nuclear power.

UCANPower continues to see more informed awareness and understanding of the promise of next generation advanced nuclear technologies to provide safe, reliable power while contributing to local carbon reduction goals for energy generation.

New legislation in Alaska, West Virginia, and Indiana are the latest signs that State legislators see the promise and want to encourage the consideration of new nuclear power development in their States. Five years ago, Kentucky lifted its 25-year-old ban on construction of nuclear power plants. Last year, Montana ended its 43-year moratorium on nuclear construction. Bills in Colorado and Oklahoma, neither of which currently have reactors, would initiate studies of the feasibility of bringing nuclear power generation to their states, and nuclear-related bills in at least six other states have been filed for microreactor technology. West Virginia, which generates the overwhelming majority of its electricity from coal and has no nuclear power, Gov. Jim Justice signed a bill into law lifting a 25 year-old ban on construction of nuclear power plants.

An Associated Press survey of the energy policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia found that a strong majority— about two-thirds— say nuclear, in one fashion or another, will help take the place of fossil fuels. The momentum building behind nuclear power could lead to the first expansion of nuclear reactor construction in the U.S. in more than three decades.

(SB 177) in the Alaska state legislature on February 1 that would modify existing state law on nuclear energy by specifying that microreactors are not subject to certain nuclear reactor siting and permitting regulations in Alaska. The bill defines a microreactor as an advanced nuclear fission reactor that would be capable of generating no more than 50 MWe. “For communities seeking more options to end their dependence on diesel and heating oil, we want to ensure that our statutes give them the opportunity to explore what many experts believe may be a generational leap forward in terms of clean, reliable, and cost-effective off-grid power,” Dunleavy said.

The town of Valdez, supported by the Copper Valley Electric Association, is one such community. “Copper Valley Electric Association supports the governor’s legislation to streamline the state’s permitting process for microreactors. With a feasibility study already underway in Valdez, this legislation ensures Alaska remains on track to be an early leader. In

Currently, thirteen states have restrictions on the construction of new nuclear power facilities: California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and West Virginia. Minnesota has adopted an outright ban on the construction of new nuclear power facilities and New York has outlined a similar ban in a limited area of the state. Other states have set conditions on the construction of new nuclear power facilities.

UCANPower will continue to engage States on ideas for legislation to enable or encourage advanced nuclear power development.