Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that repeals the prohibition on construction of new nuclear power plants.

Highlights:

• Prohibits the construction of a new nuclear power plant if the proposed plant intends to reprocess the spent fuel it produces into weapons-grade plutonium (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill repealing the ban on the construction of new nuclear power plants and specifying procedures for the decommissioning of existing nuclear power plants.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Public Utilities Commission to issue a certificate of need for the construction of new nuclear-powered electric generating plants, whereas existing law prohibited the issuance of such certificates (Sec. 2).

• Requires the Public Utilities Commission to adhere to the following procedures for decommissioning nuclear power plants including, but not limited to (Sec. 1):
• Conduct an evaluation of the costs of storing used nuclear fuel that may be incurred by the State of Minnesota or any tribal community, county, city, or township where used nuclear fuel is located following the close of operations at a nuclear plant; and
• Prepare a nuclear decommissioning report to be submitted within 180 days of the final order to decommission a nuclear power plant, which shall consist of information including, but not limited to, the following:
• An explanation of the Public Utility Commission's funding decisions regarding nuclear decommissioning;
• A description of the progress of the United States Department of Energy to remove from Minnesota spent fuel produced by nuclear generating plants in Minnesota;
• An analysis of the financial impact of decommissioning and storage of used fuel; and
• Recommendations to the legislature for actions that may be necessary to address long-term or indefinite storage costs.

Full Bill Text