Senate hearings on bringing nuclear power to Oregon

By Taxpayers Association of Oregon
OregonWatchdog.com

There are three nuclear power bills up for hearing on Wednesday March 5th in the Senate Energy and Environment Committee.

• SB 215 Repeals the requirement that there be a licensed repository for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste before a site certificate for a nuclear-fueled thermal power plant may be issued. Refers the Act to the people for their approval or rejection at the next regular general election. (authors Senator Smith DB, Representative Diehl)
  

• SB 216 Repeals the law that requires there to be a place for radioactive waste to be disposed of before a nuclear power plant may be sited in this state. Repeals the law that requires a proposed nuclear power plant first receive approval from the electors of this state. (authors Senator Smith DB, Representative Diehl)

• SB 635 Directs Oregon State University to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in this state. (Sponsored by Senator BONHAM)
  

There have been attention in the Oregon House over nuclear energy as well with HB 2410 and HB 2038.

HB 2038 is a bill requiring the state to study nuclear energy possibilities.

Hb 2410 is described by the Oregon House Republican Office, “HB 2410 is a bipartisan bill that allows the Energy Facility Siting Council to issue a site certificate for a small modular reactor energy facility demonstration project in Umatilla County. The bill includes reporting requirements from the Department of Energy along with funding for the demonstration project. If successful, voters in Umatilla County will have the opportunity to approve the measure during the 2026 November general election.“This legislation represents a crucial step toward ensuring Oregon’s energy independence, economic resilience, and environmental responsibility,” said Rep. Bobby Levy (R-Echo), author of HB 2410 and vice-chair of the House Climate, Energy, and Environment Committee. “Oregon’s rural communities, including those I represent, face significant challenges in securing reliable and affordable energy. As we continue to experience increasing demand, coupled with concerns over grid reliability, it is imperative that we explore diverse and sustainable sources of power,” Rep. Levy concluded.”

HB 2410 Sponsored by Representative LEVY B, Senator SMITH DB; Representatives LEVY E, WRIGHT, Senators BONHAM,MEEK.

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