Policy Activity
State Legislation Updates
As the New Year kicks off a new legislative session for most states, NCSL forecasts an increase in legislation related to nuclear energy, spent nuclear fuel, and the nuclear workforce.
Here’s a sample of prefiled and recently introduced bills. To follow up to date legislation for the new session, see NCSL’s Energy Database.
Colorado HB 1040 (Introduced) would revise the state’s definition of clean energy and clean energy resource to include nuclear energy and nuclear energy generation, respectively. If nuclear energy is included in the state’s definition of clean energy, nuclear energy would be included in generation sources that qualify for utilities to meet the state’s 2050 clean energy target. The state’s goal includes reducing greenhouse gas pollution 50% by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
New York SB 1107 (Introduced) directs the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to conduct a feasibility study on the benefits and potential of small modular reactors in the state. The study is due to the governor and legislative leadership one year after the effective date of the bill once enacted.
Oklahoma SB 131 (Prefiled) adds formal definitions parameters related to nuclear energy generation as a replacement for coal-fired generation in the state. The bill directs utilities that are retiring coal-fired generation to prioritize the potential use of advanced nuclear generation where feasible. The bill also directs relevant state agencies to create a regulatory framework to facilitate construction and development in compliance with federal regulations.
Oregon SB 635 (Prefiled) directs Oregon State University to study the feasibility of developing nuclear energy in the state. The university is directed to examine the benefits to the workforce, advantages of nuclear energy, environmental and economic costs and benefits, and a timeline for potential development. The bill directs the university to submit the report to the state by Dec. 15, 2026. Additionally, the state indicates that the development and goals of this report are necessary for public peace, health, and safety, requiring an emergency declaration upon passage of the bill.
Oregon SB 215 (Prefiled) would repeal the existing requirement that a spent nuclear fuel waste repository must be licensed before the construction of a nuclear generation facility in the state. The bill also removes the requirement for a new nuclear power plant to receive approval from the state legislature before receiving site permits for construction. Removing these restrictions in Oregon requires public approval through a ballot initiative.
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
Monticello Receives Extension
Xcel’s Minnesota Monticello Nuclear Power Plant has received a license extension to continue operating through fall of 2050. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approved a license renewal, but Xcel must still receive approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, which has already approved operation through at least 2040. Xcel operates the state’s two nuclear power plants, Monticello and Prairie Island.
Operations and Partnerships
Constellation to Provide Power to U.S. GSA
The U.S. General Services Administration has awarded Constellation Energy a contract to provide electricity to 80 federal facilities in the mid-Atlantic, Midwest, and Washington, D.C. The impetus for the agreement is to secure a competitive cost of power for the 10-year agreement length. The agreement will supply largely clean energy, using Constellation’s nuclear fleet. The GSA will purchase 2.4 million megawatt hours of nuclear generated electricity through this agreement.
Constellation Energy to Acquire Natural Gas Corporation Calpine
Constellation Energy announced a $26.6 billion deal to acquire Texas-based Calpine Corporation. Constellation's current generation is largely nuclear, but the company also uses wind, solar, hydro, and gas. The company produces around 10% of the nation’s carbon-free energy. Calpine's current generation is largely natural gas and geothermal. According to the companies, they hope the marrying of generation resources will help provide grid reliability as demand increases. Constellation is also currently seeking to expand nuclear generation by restarting Three Mile Island’s Unit 1 in Pennsylvania.
Initiatives, Announcements, and Funding Opportunities
DOE offers $13 Million for Advanced Reactor Licensing Activities
The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced a new competitive cost-share program to support the nuclear industry during the licensing process. The funding is designed to offset costs for nuclear companies that are some of the first to complete the advanced reactor process. Applicants may use funding to do initial research before their application and for review activities after the NRC receives the application. The application will close on April 8, 2025, and the DOE expects funding to be available for up to five years. Technical information and the application can be found here .
Other News
Texas, Utah, and Last Energy Sue NRC
The advanced reactor company Last Energy and state attorneys general in Texas and Utah have joined to sue the NRC over the length of reactor licensing processes, specifically as related to microreactors. The lawsuit argues that small microreactors are small enough that they should not require NRC licensing. Microreactors currently have a production threshold of 20 megawatts to meet the microreactor definition. According to the lawsuit, the states argue that the requirement to receive a facility and operating license regardless of reactor size is the reason SMRs are not developed in Texas or Utah yet. The current regulatory framework in the U.S. requires NRC licensing regardless of reactor size or the amount of nuclear fuel used.
Nuclear Energy Resources