Will progress be made on repealing the ban on new nuclear power plants? Fox-9 reported earlier this week,
MN lawmakers look to expand nuclear power in push for carbon-free energy.
Fox 9 reports,
Minnesota’s moratorium on new nuclear power generators seems unlikely to end this year, but lawmakers are taking baby steps in that direction.
Keep in mind that the state House of Representatives is evenly split 67-67. In this election year, it will be difficult for any piece of legislation remotely “controversial” to reach the governor’s desk.
The situation in the state Senate is similar, with Democrats holding a one-seat 34-33 majority. Fox 9 continues,
A Minnesota Senate bill in committee on Wednesday [March 25] would pay for a study on the potential costs, benefits and impacts of advanced nuclear generation.
The Senate “study” bill is SF 1435, authored by Sen. Andrew Mathews, the energy committee’s Republican lead (and occasional co-chair when the body is in a 33-33 tie). Among the bill’s co-authors is Sen. Nick Frentz, the Democratic chairman of the energy committee.
It’s been clear for a long time that nuclear power enjoys bipartisan support at the legislature.
On Thursday (March 26), it was the turn of the House energy committee, which held hearings on three nuclear-related bills, sponsored by Republicans.
Among the three House bills heard on Thursday, Rep. Spencer Igo’s HF 4703 would also fund a study of new nuclear power, and has Sen. Mathews as the Senate author (SF 4900).
A year ago (March 2025), the House energy committee succeeded in passing Rep. Igo’s HF 2002 out of committee, a bill which includes a full repeal of the ban on new nuclear power plants. Session Daily reported at the time,
Legislation lifting state’s nuclear moratorium clears House energy committee
Unfortunately the bill advanced no further. We still have about two months remaining on the 2026 legislative session.
This week, an industry publication noted,
Five states — Wisconsin, Kentucky, Montana, West Virginia, and, most recently, Illinois — have fully lifted their moratoria since 2016. Others are loosening the reins, with Connecticut easing restrictions on small modular reactors and Rhode Island allowing utilities to buy electricity from neighboring states’ nuclear plants. Five more — California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Vermont — are now weighing legislation to overturn their bans.
At least we made the list of states who are trying. Other than Montana and West Virginia, the states listed above are blue or at least have Democratic governors. Minnesota appears to be lagging behind the pack.
But it’s not too late to catch up.
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