Federal Announcement
Theodore (Ted) Garrish was appointed as the U.S. Department of Energy's assistant secretary for nuclear energy. This is Garrish's second term. Garrish was previously the assistant secretary for the Office of International Affairs at the DOE from 2018-2021. During the Reagan administration, Garrish served as the acting assistant secretary for congressional, intergovernmental and public affairs of the DOE, appointed in 1985.
Policy Activity
California Representatives Reintroduce Spent Fuel Prioritization Act
U.S. Representatives Mike Levin (D-Calif.), Young Kim (R-Calif.) and Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) reintroduced the Spent Fuel Prioritization Act in Congress. The bill seeks to amend language in the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 to prioritize waste removal in high population areas and areas with high seismic or national security risk. There is no updated text available for this bill in the 119th Congress, but the version of this bill from the 118th Congress can be found here.
Tennessee Gov. Lee Shares Nuclear Plans
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee shared his plans for nuclear energy during his recent State of the State address. According to Lee's budget proposal, $10 million is devoted to attracting nuclear companies to the state. An additional $10 million is devoted to nuclear workforce education, $2.6 million to developing a regulatory framework, and $20 million for federal grant-matching funds to support the state in seeking additional funding. Lee also includes $50 million to support the Tennessee Valley Authority's Clinch River small modular reactor program. In his address, Gov. Lee underscored the existing infrastructure in the state to support further development. The state is home to two nuclear plants and four reactor units, as well as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the Oak Ridge Site.
State Legislation Updates
Colorado HB 1040 (introduced) would change the definition of clean energy and clean energy resource in the state to include nuclear energy and nuclear generation.
Hawaii SB 1588 (in committee) Establishes a nuclear energy task force to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power in the state, including benefits, risks and barriers. Hawaii currently bans nuclear construction unless the project receives a two-thirds vote in each chamber of the state legislature.
Minnesota SB 468 (in committee) would lift the current ban on nuclear power plant construction in the state, allowing for the construction of advanced small modular reactors with a maximum capacity of 300 megawatts or less.
North Dakota HB1025 (passed in House) would require legislative management to study the feasibility, siting, and deployment of advanced nuclear power plants in the state. Aspects required in the study include siting locations, grid connectivity, land use considerations, economic impacts, and other planning and construction aspects. The bill also includes the provision of $300,000 to complete the study and to contract professional assistance for the study.
Oregon HB 3548 (introduced 2/11/25) would repeal current bans on nuclear activity in the state. This includes repealing the requirement of a permanent spent fuel storage facility existing before a nuclear power plant can be constructed and repealing the requirement of a passed ballot initiative to approve any new nuclear power plant construction. The act would require a public ballot initiative to be enacted. Oregon has introduced multiple bills related to removing the state's ban on nuclear this session. These bills are available in the NCSL database and on the Oregon State Legislature webpage.
Texas HB 2678 (introduced 2/11/25) would create the Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Authority. The authority would seek to strengthen and grow the nuclear industry in the state, identify obstacles to development, provide strategic leadership, and make policy recommendations, among other provisions. The bill would also create the Texas Nuclear Permitting Officer position in the state. This position would coordinate the permitting process for nuclear technology in the state. The bill includes details on the position and responsibilities of this officer.
Virginia SB 1338 (passed in House) would add fusion and fission nuclear energy to the state's definition of carbon-free or clean energy.
Wyoming SFO 186 (passed in Senate) would establish requirements and standards for advanced nuclear reactor fuel storage. The standards would allow advanced nuclear facilities to store spent fuel on site, though permanent storage is currently not allowed in the state. This year, Wyoming lawmakers also considered HB 16 (failed) to allow storage of high-level radioactive waste in the state in anticipation of a federal permanent spent fuel storage solution.
Stay up to date on these bills and more with NCSL's 50-state bill tracking database . Filter by topics like nuclear, renewable energy, workforce and more.
Nuclear Power Plants and Infrastructure
Constellation Announces $100 Million in Calvert Cliffs Upgrades
Maryland's Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant will receive upgrades to the plant's critical pumps, motors, valves, control rod system, and transformer, starting this month. Constellation, the plant's operator, shared that $68 million of the funds will be devoted to 24 new electrical breakers at the plant's substation. The plant currently provides ~80% of the state's clean power generation and ~40% of the state's total power generation through its two nuclear units.
Iowa Considering Re-Opening States Nuclear Plant
NextEra Energy has filed a notice with the NRC to begin examining the potential of restarting Duan Arnold nuclear power plant, the only nuclear plant in Iowa. The plant closed in 2020 due to the end of its power purchase agreement and severe cooling tower damage due to windstorms. In addition to repairing the towers, the plant will require a workforce assessment and recruitment efforts, according to local officials. The NRC is currently developing a charter for the Duan Arnold Energy Center Restart Panel to coordinate and regulate the reopening process for the facility.
Materials, Nuclear Fuel, and Spent Nuclear Fuel
Navajo Nation Uranium Transportation Agreement Reached
Energy Fuels Inc. and the Navajo Nation have agreed to terms involving uranium transportation from Arizona and Utah facilities. The terms of the agreement include limited routes and hours, a pause during Navajo celebrations and community events, enhanced insurance and driver requirements, among other provisions. The agreement also requires Energy Fuels Inc. to assist with the cleanup of abandoned uranium mines by accepting and transporting 10,000 tons of uranium cleanup materials, at no cost to the Navajo Nation. Uranium will be transported between the company's Pinyon Plain Mine and White Mesa Mill processing facility.
Initiatives, Announcements, and Funding Opportunities
NASEO Announces Advanced Nuclear Reactor Program
The National Association of State Energy Officials launched the Advanced Nuclear First Mover Initiative to bring together state and private industry partners to collaborate on reducing financial and technological risks, create market policies, address supply chain needs, improve permitting processes, and strategize funding structures and opportunities. The program is currently led by ten states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming.
New Mexico Launches Uranium Cleanup Training Program
The New Mexico Environment Department, San Juan College, and New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions launched the Careers Remediating Environmental Waste (CREW) program last month. CREW will focus on educating jobseekers in job opportunities related to uranium mining cleaning up in the state. The program offers financial, childcare, and housing support for job seekers who join the training program. It is estimated that the state has at least 1,000 abandoned uranium mines in the state. Lawmakers in the state are currently making efforts to invest $50 million in state funds toward cleanup, though the state requires significant federal investment to tackle the extent of uranium contamination and cleanup.
INL and Idaho Universities Create New Partnership
Idaho National Lab (INL) signed new Strategic Understanding for Premier Education and Research (SUPER) agreements with Boise State University and the University of Idaho to collaborate on energy and cybersecurity projects. Projects will research advanced materials for extreme environments, like nuclear reactors and advanced nuclear materials, among other projects. Both universities will also focus on cybersecurity, AI, and computing research related to energy systems. INL previously signed a SUPER agreement with Idaho State University last year to examine minerals, materials, and environmental sustainability and security.