SF718 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Prohibition on issuing certificate of need abolishment for new nuclear plant
Related bill: HF2670
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill would modify Minnesota law related to when the state agency may require and issue a certificate of need (CoN) for nuclear energy projects. It focuses on two aspects: (1) whether a new nuclear-powered electric generating plant can be approved, and (2) how storage of spent nuclear fuel tied to license extensions is treated.
Main Provisions
- Prohibition on new build CoN: The commission may not issue a certificate of need for the construction of a new nuclear-powered electric generating plant.
- License-extension storage analysis: For any certificate of need related to additional storage of spent nuclear fuel for a facility seeking a license extension, the application must address the impacts of continued operations over the period for which approval is sought.
Changes to Existing Law
- Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 216B.243, subdivision 3b, to add or clarify provisions about:
- Continuing prohibition on issuing CoN for new nuclear power plant construction.
- Requiring consideration of continued operation impacts when evaluating CoN for additional storage of spent nuclear fuel in the context of a license extension.
Implications and Context
- Nuclear power policy: The bill enshrines a barrier to approving new nuclear power plant construction via a CoN process.
- Spent fuel storage: It introduces an explicit requirement to analyze the impacts of continuing operation when storage-related CoNs accompany license extensions for facilities with spent nuclear fuel.
Relevant Terms certificate of need, CoN nuclear power plant construction spent nuclear fuel storage license extension relicensing continued operations impacts commission (Minnesota Public Utilities Commission) Minnesota Statutes 216B.243 subdivision 3b
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 27, 2025 | Senate | Action | Introduction and first reading | ||
| January 27, 2025 | Senate | Action | Referred to | Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate | |
| March 24, 2025 | Senate | Action | Author stricken |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Amends Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 216B.243, subdivision 3b, to prohibit certificates of need for constructing a new nuclear-powered electric generating plant and to address continued operation impacts for storage of spent nuclear fuel upon license extension.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "216B.243",
"subdivision": "3b"
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee