SF4900

Purpose

This bill would authorize funding for a formal study to evaluate whether Minnesota should pursue the construction of nuclear-powered electric generating facilities. The study would examine various regulatory, technical, siting, waste, economic, and public safety factors to inform future policy decisions.

Main Provisions

• Funding and contracting

  • An appropriation in fiscal year 2027 from the renewable development account to the Public Utilities Commission to contract with the Great Plains Institute to conduct the study.
  • The study must be completed no later than June 30, 2027.

• Scope of the study

  • Federal regulations and licensing
  • Analyze changes in federal regulations governing the licensing of nuclear-powered facilities that may expedite the review and approval process.
  • Technological advances
  • Review advances in conventional nuclear technology that affect safety and cost.
  • Small modular reactors (SMRs)
  • Assess prospects for factory-built portable small modular reactors with a capacity of up to 300 megawatts, including:
    • the type of technology available,
    • current licensing status, and
    • estimated costs.
  • Siting considerations
  • Evaluate siting issues, including:
    • proximity to water resources needed for cooling and how that limits locations,
    • potential for co-locating with large electricity-using businesses,
    • environmental impacts on nearby residents, including health effects,
    • how host communities might respond and best practices to engage communities, and
    • how interconnection and transmission issues affect potential plant locations.
  • Nuclear waste issues
  • Examine waste aspects, including:
    • the amount and toxicity of radioactive waste from conventional reactors and SMRs,
    • costs of on-site storage,
    • prospects for permanent storage at federal or private repositories and transport to them, and
    • the feasibility and cost of reprocessing nuclear waste.
  • Economic impacts on host communities
  • Look at potential economic effects such as:
    • construction and ongoing job creation,
    • increased local economic activity from facility and employee spending, and
    • potential tax revenue for local communities, schools, and the state.
  • Public safety and emergency planning
  • Assess impacts on public safety officials and emergency responders in host communities and nearby areas, especially regarding emergency planning.

• Reporting

  • By February 1, 2027, the Public Utilities Commission must submit the study to the chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over energy finance and policy.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• The bill does not directly change current law. It creates an obligation to perform a comprehensive study and report findings to legislative leaders, funded from the renewable development account, to inform future policy decisions about nuclear energy in Minnesota.

Summary of What This Bill Seeks to Accomplish

• Provide a thorough, government-commissioned assessment of whether Minnesota should pursue nuclear energy, including both traditional reactors and small modular reactors.
• Identify regulatory, technical, siting, waste, economic, and safety considerations that would affect any potential future development.
• Offer a clear, public-facing report to lawmakers by early 2027 to guide discussions and potential policy actions.

Relevant Terms - nuclear-powered electric generating facilities - Great Plains Institute - Public Utilities Commission - renewable development account - small modular reactors (SMRs) - 300 megawatts - federal regulations - licensing - cooling water resources - siting - environmental impacts - host communities - community engagement - interconnection and transmission - nuclear waste - radioactive waste - on-site storage - permanent storage - reprocessing - construction and operations employment - local tax revenue - emergency planning - February 1, 2027 - June 30, 2027